Situation has changed! Guangxi Hengchen is preparing to challenge for the Super League!

Reported by Wang Wei On the evening of August 15, in the 19th round of the 2026 China League One, Guangxi Hengchen hosted Meizhou Hakka. With a first-half goal from foreign player Mbo, Guangxi Hengchen won 1-0, securing a crucial three points. After this match, Guangxi Hengchen has 32 points, temporarily ranking fourth, just one point behind the second-placed Shenzhen Youth, achieving their relegation goal early and also having a chance to challenge for the Super League. In addition to the victory on the field, the club also received a major boost in management, officially reaching a deep strategic cooperation with Liuzhou Bank to support the team's future development.

In this home match against Meizhou Hakka, Guangxi Hengchen started quickly and entered a hot state, with aggressive attacks in the first half creating multiple threats. In the 13th minute, Mbo received a pass from a teammate in the penalty area and scored with a left-footed low shot, giving Guangxi Hengchen an early lead. The second half became more tense, with Guangxi Hengchen creating several scoring opportunities but lacking the finishing touch. They ultimately held on to the 1-0 victory, reigniting their hopes of promotion to the Super League.

After the match, Guangxi Hengchen head coach Liu Junwei (see right picture) admitted that the team only played at a high-quality level in the first half. Although the attacking efficiency declined in the second half, the players' tenacious fighting and ability to hold on to the victory were commendable. With this three points, Guangxi Hengchen completed their relegation task 12 rounds early (the 14th round away match against Wuxi Wugou was postponed). The team will now play with a light heart and aim for a higher league ranking.

In this round, Guangxi Hengchen heavily utilized local young players, and the academy prospects are steadily growing: 19-year-old Dai Ming made his first career start, performing steadily in midfield interceptions and linking defense and attack; 22-year-old Chen Guanjian performed excellently in the backline, showing great potential. Talking about the growth of local Guangxi players, Liu Junwei said: "Chen Guanjian has improved his mental toughness through multiple league matches, and his performance on the field is becoming more stable. He can play multiple defensive positions, enriching the team's tactical options, and is an indispensable rotation force. His growth is evident." He also added that young players like Cen Liyi still need to accumulate experience through actual matches, and the team will patiently cultivate local youth training talents, continuously providing on-field opportunities for Guangxi players.

On April 21 this year, Peng Weiguo officially took office as the general manager of Guangxi Hengchen Club. Since then, the team has shown strong competitive stability, achieving an impressive 11-match unbeaten run before facing Guangzhou Leopards, demonstrating the strength of a promoted team. Although they lost away to the league leaders Guangzhou Leopards in the previous round, winning this round brought the team back on track. Talking about the team's excellent results in the last 13 rounds, Peng Weiguo said that the honor belongs to the team: "The previous 11-match unbeaten run was the credit of the coaching staff and the players' efforts. We did our best in logistics support to ensure the smooth operation of the first team."

Regarding the hot topic among fans about "two Guangxi brothers joining hands to challenge for the Super League," Peng Weiguo smiled and said he is also full of expectations: "I hope the two Guangxi brothers can both be promoted. It seems very possible right now. In the remaining matches, we will follow the head coach's own arrangements, fight for every point, and strive for victory in every game. If we can make it to the top at the end, we will go for it."

Along with the steady improvement in the team's performance, the club's management also received a major boost. On August 14, Guangxi Hengchen officially announced a strategic partnership with Liuzhou Bank. In addition to becoming the official jersey front advertisement partner for the remaining matches of the 2026 season and the entire 2027 season, the two sides will also embark on a new model of deep integration. Liu Junwei said that the stable development of professional football cannot be separated from the strong support of local enterprises. This cooperation is not only a high recognition of the team's efforts from all sectors of Guangxi but also provides a solid backing for the team's subsequent training, youth development, and player welfare, injecting strong momentum into the pursuit of higher league goals.

As the champion of the China League Two last season, Guangxi Hengchen has become the biggest dark horse in this season's China League One. Although it is difficult for Guangxi Hengchen to catch up with the leader Guangzhou Leopards in points, 32 points is an important weight in the competition for the last promotion spot. Liu Junwei said: "I think 32 points should be enough to successfully avoid relegation. Next, we will work hard for the second goal."