Nansha's rising football stars shine in Guangdong super league opener

Players of Guangzhou team on the football field. [Photo/Nanfang Plus]

Guangzhou opened its 2026 Guangdong Provincial City Football Super League campaign with a triumphant 2-0 victory over Jiangmen at Yuexiushan Stadium on April 24, with Nansha-trained players contributing to the winning effort.

Midfielder Yang Cheng scored the league's first goal in the first half, while substitute Zhang Zijian sealed the win in the 72nd minute. Among the Guangzhou squad were four players developed in Nansha District — Wu Xiaolong, Lin Junyu, Zheng Yang and You Peiming. Defender You came on in the second half, playing his part in the team's solid start.

The match drew zealous support from a special contingent in the stands: 50 young footballers from Nansha's youth academy system, many accompanied by their families. Their presence underscored the district's deepening commitment to nurturing football talent.

Nansha's investment in structured youth training is yielding tangible results. Since the establishment of the District Chuliang Football Hengli Training Base last year, the district's football development has entered a new, more professional phase. Sending four homegrown players to the provincial Super League squad marks a significant milestone for local talent pathways.

Among the young spectators was a primary school student named Yuqi, who had trained for four years and dreamed of "leading the Chinese team to the World Cup". His story reflects the growing enthusiasm for grassroots football in Nansha, where authorities continue to build opportunities for young athletes to pursue their sporting ambitions on larger stages.