Guizhou Hengfeng Zhicheng FC

Guizhou Hengfeng Zhicheng FC

Guizhou Hengfeng Zhicheng FC are based in Guiyang, Guizhou and play their home games in the Guizhou Olympic Sports Centre, which can seat close to 53,000 people. The current shareholders in the team are Guizhou Hengfeng Albert Real Estate Development Co. Ltd, Guizhou Zhicheng Enterprise Group Investment Co and the Guizhou Provincial Sports Bureau. The club were founded in 1992 but, only turned professional in 2005. Guizhou got lucky when they finished just outside the promotion places in the China League Two but, unexpected developments meant that they were promoted to the China League One. Then they finished second behind Tianjin Quanjian and won promotion to the Super League.

MANAGER

Guizhou are managed by Li Bing. He was manager of Chengdu Blades. He was assistant manager in the Chinese u-23 and u-20 setups before becoming the main man with the latter. He was caretaker manager for Guangzhou R&F twice in 2013 and 2015. He had a distinguished playing career, representing the likes of Liaoning Yuandong, Guangdong Hongyuan and Sichuan Quanxing. He made an impressive 67 appearances for Chinese National Team and was selected for the 1992 and 1996 Asian Cups.

INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS

Nikica Jelavic is the most high-profile name on Guizhou’s payroll, currently on loan from Beijing Renhe. He played for Scottish giants Rangers, as well as Premier League clubs, Everton, Hull City and West Ham United. He is a full Croatia International and was part of the squad for Euro 2012 and the 2014 World Cup.

Tjaronn Cherry rose through the FC Twente youth ranks and made a single appearance for them before moving to Queens Park Rangers in 2015. He played there for two years and then made the switch to China and Guizhou.

Michael Olunga is a Kenyan national playing for Guizhou. He played for a number of Kenyan teams before joining Guizhou earlier this year. He is a full Kenya International and has made 10 appearances for his country.

Ali Ghazal played for Egyptian side Nacional for four years. He made the move to Guizhou in 2017. He is a full Egypt International and has made five appearances for his country.

Ryan McGowan played for Dundee United in Scotland. Guizhou is his third club in China, having previously played for Henan Hianye and Shandong Luneng. He represented Australia at the u-17, u-20 and u-23 levels. He is currently a full Australia International and has 18 appearances to his name.

RECORD SCORER

Hermann Ekwalla is Guizhou’s record scorer with 28 goals. Behind him in second place is Brazilian forward Mazola with 14. Among the current players on Guizhou’s roster, Iminjan Ilhamjan is top with 10 goals.

HONORS

China League Two (2015)