On the evening of April 25, 2026, the Guangdong City Football Super League (Yue Chao) officially kicked off at Guangzhou’s historic Yuexiushan Stadium. The opening match saw Guangzhou take on Jiangmen, with the home side securing a 2-0 victory.
For American player Victor Mbachu, it was his first time watching a football match in China, and it did not take long for the game to win him over.
“I was actually impressed with the level,” he said. “The movement, the passing, the timing—it was better than I thought it would be.”
What caught his attention went beyond the scoreline. The league is structured around local identity, with teams composed primarily of amateur players from various professions rather than professional clubs.
“That creates a connectivity,” Victor noted. “Your friends, your neighbours, your coworkers could be out there. When you go watch, you feel more connected, more attached to it.”
The fans of both teams also left a mark. “Extremely passionate,” he said. “As a player, we always expect a lot of passion, a lot of energy, a lot of enthusiasm from our fans. That’s what I saw in the game.”
As for what he hopes to see from the teams still to come this season, his message was simple. “Just represent your city. Play with honour. Play with passion. Play together. That’s what the fans want to see the most.”
Reporter | Chen Jinxia
Video recording | Chen Jinxia
Video editor & poster | Zeng Xiangxing