Besides a higher level of play and for a better pay-check, Hong Kong players head north to test themselves in the Chinese football leagues also because of the attraction of working with world-renowned coaches.

Jean Jacques Kilama, who signed on to play for Tianjin Quanjian this season, falls into the above-mentioned categories, as the Hong Kong international has already worked with Vanderlei Luxemburgo and Fabio Cannavaro this season, picking up lots of valuable knowledge from the two football icons.  

Hoping to test himself at a higher level, Kilama signed on the dotted line with Tianjin Quanjian at the end of 2015. However, the Hong Kong international who drew rave reviews from his heroics in the recent World Cup qualifier, had to face a string of injuries after a fast start with his new club in China.

“Tianjin is a fine city and the living conditions are good. Things were going smoothly for me after I signed with the club and I was receiving playing time right off the bat, appearing in the first three league games. Unfortunately, I got hurt in the third game and then missed the next three weeks,” Kilama recalled.

The combative Kilama seldom got injured during his time playing in Hong Kong but got bitten by the injury bug shortly after his debut in the Chinese first division. To add insult to injury, once Kilama was fit to return, injury struck him again and caused him to lose his starting position even after he recovered.

“I was appearing regularly under Luxemburgo but when Cannavaro took over, I was still injured. He made several changes to the lineup and that was how I lost my spot within the team,” said the defender.

Despite the disappointment, Kilama remained philosophical and was glad Cannavaro did not forget him. “The team was winning a lot of games recently and even though I am now fit, I understand the coach cannot be making a lot of changes in the lineup. He (Cannavaro) actually told me to stay patient, work hard and fight for my opportunities, which shows that I am still in his plans.”

When asked about being coached by two legendary football icons, Kilama looked visibly proud. “This is life, I guess. I dreamed about being coached by excellent professionals, or even work with someone as great as Fabio. Somehow, the dream turned into reality, as the two gentlemen became my coach at different times. The pleasure, trust me on this one, is all mine.”

The towering centre-back also gave his current coach a huge thumbs up, crediting him as not only an exceptional coach but an even better person, with personal, extra coaching sessions a regularity. “Fabio stresses the importance of defense and will always gather the team after training session for extra pointers, which players are happy to take in.”

Built like an ox and with toughness to boost, what Kilama has picked up from the classy Italian are ball-skills and positioning sense. “He taught me how to defend when attackers are steaming right at me, as well as how to defend while tracking backwards. But in truth, what I have learnt is more than football skills. Fabio has taught me how professional players live and how to set myself up for life after retirement.”

Under the stewardship of Cannavaro, Tianjin Quanjian is gunning for a Chinese Super League spot next season. Kilama, understandably, shares the same target and dreams of his mentor. “Professional players all work hard for higher aspirations. Now I hope to win the first division title, beat the competition and get promoted to the Chinese Super League. Godfred (Karikari)'s Qingdao Huanghai, Festus (Baise)'s Guizhou Zhicheng and my side are all neck and neck in the first division as we speak. Let us see who can make it eventually at the end of the season.”

If reaching the lofty heights of the Chinese Super League is a dream, then playing for Hong Kong on the international stage remains as a firm target for the defender. Once famously said “If it was not for representing Hong Kong, I will still be an unknown to Chinese football” before kicking off his career up North, Kilama admits to still having a soft-spot for the city that he loves.

“I want to bring what I have learnt to Hong Kong football and share with the younger players. I always remember I want to play for Hong Kong and I always look forward to the chance to return to play in front of my fans and friends.”

“In football, I always look forward and strive to be the best.”