It was an epoch-making moment for grassroot football in Warri on Friday, as the Prince GT Developmental League 2021 formally got under way with FC Chimooski taking on Maro 11 Speedstar Football Academy of Ughelli.

Inside the first five minutes of the the league opener, FC Chimooski went into the lead.

An unmarked Amele Shadrach connected with a set piece delivery from the left flank and headed in the first goal of the league.

Few minutes later, Daniel Essien capitalized on the defensive hesitation of the Maro 11 Speedstar back four and raced through to score a second goal for FC Chimooski.

Maro 11 Speedstar gave themselves hope of a dramatic comeback, when Germany Precious hit one in for them to make it 2 - 1 about 15 minutes before halftime.

The resumption of the second half almost immediately witnessed FC Chimooski scored another goal through Godwin Joseph to leave scores at 3 - 1.

Maro 11 Speedstar, however, got their second goal of the game through Epue Isaiah.

At full-time, FC Chimooski claimed a 3 - 2 victory and three points.

Reacting, Maro 11 Speedstar Football Academy head coach, Igbiriki Peretowomobo, described the tie as perfect test for the two teams, but noted he was not impressed with some calls the center referee made at some point.

"The game was great for the two sides," he said.

"Just that the referee got it very wrong with the red decision."

"My strategy for today's game was to win. But you know you can't predict the game."

With the first league opener done and dusted, more ties will take place during the opening weekend of the league on Saturday.

In first clash of the day, Winferu FA of Udu will take on Excellent FA of Ughelli.

The two teams seem to be familiar to one another, according to club officials from both sides. And it appears to be a game of two teams with equal strength.

"It's going to be a cracker," a coach from Winferu FA noted during a pre match interview.

"We know Coach Onome and his boys at Excellent FA."

For Coach Austin Johnny of Excellent FA, Winferu FA are a good team, who like to play the ball on the ground.

"We've played against them before in Oleh. They're a good team. They like to play the ball on the ground."

"We expect them to be tough,"Coach Johnny added.

The second encounter will see Golden Friends FC battle Lord Honour FC.

An official of Lord Honour FC said in a pre match meeting that they have always had the upper hand against Golden Friends and they would strive to maintain that record against them in this tie.

In the final game of Matchday 1, Sunsel FC will lock horns with Sporting FC.

"Sporting FC are a good side too in the league," an official of Sunsel FC said in a pre match media parley.

"They don't give up. We met in the NLO in Yenagoa recently."

For an official of Sporting FC, they are approaching the game against Sunsel FC with a developmental mentality.

" Sunsel FC play like us," he said in an interview.

"We're coming to play for developmental purposes here. It's not a do-or-die affair."

"My team is purely a young side and largely U-22. We want to use this to expose the young players."

"We expect a great game against Sunsel FC."

All matches will come up at the Warri City Stadium on Saturday, with first tie at 10am.