On a humid evening in India, as the dust settled at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, far from the structured football of Europe, Effiong Nsungusi stood in front of a frenzied crowd supporting the Punjab FC. The Nigerian footballer took it all- the noise, the chaos and passion. For footballers, India doesn’t always rank at the top of the list for a football career.

In fact, for many, it feels like a step away from the paparazzi and the media spotlight. However, for Effiong, it was an onward journey of moving forward in life and taking on new challenges. However, the journey has not been a cakewalk for the Nigerian forward and has been filled with many thorns along the way. Speaking in an exclusive conversation with myKhel, the Nigerian forward remarked, “I’ve always wanted something different. Football is my job- yes, but it’s also my way of exploring the world.”

In an exclusive conversation with myKhel, Effiong shared his football aspirations, what it means to play for Punjab FC and the future of Indian football.

From Romania To India- A Road ‘Not Taken’

Effiong has gained meaningful experience in the past from playing in Ghana (Inter Allies), Denmark (HB Koge), Romania (UTA Arad), and Kazakhstan (FC Atyrau). Effiong decided to test himself rather than staying in his comfort zone of familiarity by continuing to play in Europe. So when an opportunity came his way, the Nigerian did not hesitate to play in the Indian Super League.

Speaking about his experiences with the country like India, the Nigerian said, “I hadn’t been to this part of the world before. I’ve watched Indian movies, but never experienced this country. So, I thought, why not live it instead?” That sense of adventure, however, was only part of the story. A conversation with the Punjab FC coach (Panagiotis Dilempris) gave the move a direction. “He sounded like someone who could push me, someone who believed in what I could bring (to the table).”

From Uncertainty to Purpose- Effiong’s Football Journey

Talking about his own football journey, Effiong said that his journey was shaped by uncertainty and resilience. Growing up in Nigeria, a country where football runs deep in the veins of the people, like cricket does in India. Naturally, when Effiong grew up in such an environment, he had the path clearly charted out for him.

However, his father had other plans and pushed him towards education, admitting him into architecture. But, he soon realised that ‘it wasn’t for me’. He eventually chose football over architecture, which meant he had to leave home in search of opportunities. “It was tough. Sometimes even traumatic,” Effiong added with a smile, remembering those days.
His hard work eventually paid off, and he got his breakthrough in Ghana. That moment changed everything, and there has been no turning back since then. To all the budding footballers, he just had one piece of advice- “Trust the process. You have to go through the thorns to get the roses.”

Today, Effiong runs his own academy in Nigeria, aiming to make the journey easier for young players. “I started it because my journey was too hard.”

From the streets of Nigeria to shaping future talent, the 26-year-old footballer’s journey is proof that the hardest paths often lead to the right destination.

A Game of Promise and Paradox: India Through Effiong’s Eyes

“Indian football is nice,” says Nigerian forward Effiong, choosing his words with care, “but it should be much better considering the size of the country.”

It’s a statement that lands with quiet weight. Because in that single line lies the paradox of Indian football, a nation of over a billion people, bursting with passion for sport, yet still searching for a consistent identity on the global football stage.

For Effiong, who has experienced football ecosystems across continents, India offers both inspiration and frustration. The passion is undeniable. The stadiums, when filled, echo with raw energy. Young players, hungry and fearless, showcase glimpses of immense potential. Yet, beneath the surface, structural cracks remain visible.

However, he admits that the advent of ISL in the scene has changed things for Indian football. But he also stresses the fact that real development of football is in the grassroots.”The ISL is not where development starts; it’s where it should end,” he explains.

In his view, the league represents the final stage of a footballing pyramid. The real foundation, he insists, lies elsewhere, in academies, youth systems, and grassroots programs that nurture talent long before it reaches the spotlight. And that’s where India, he believes, still lags.

But why has grassroots football development been neglected despite India’s rich footballing legacy?

To simply put it, the main problem has been the dominance of Cricket in the sporting circuit. Cricket’s dominance remains a defining factor, an economic and cultural giant that leaves football competing for limited attention and investment. The contrast is stark: despite India’s massive GDP, nations like Nigeria consistently produce world-class talent and thrive globally. As Effiong points out, the difference lies in “structure, planning, and prioritisation,” not just money.

India’s past tells a story of lost momentum. From its golden era between 1948 and 1970, Olympic semi-finalists and Asian champions, to decades of decline marked by poor infrastructure and administrative inconsistency, the fall has been gradual but telling. “You can’t build football in one or two years… it takes 15 to 20 years of proper planning,” Effiong stresses.

Today, the focus remains skewed. Clubs chase immediate results, often relying on ready-made players. “Development doesn’t happen there,” he says. Without strong youth systems, the ISL risks becoming a stage without a pipeline, leaving Indian football’s immense potential still waiting to be realised.