BENGALURU, INDIA: Punjab FC striker Nsungusi Effiong Jr single-handedly tore into the Bengaluru FC defence in their 2-0 win in the Indian Super League at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in the city on Friday, February 27.
The Nigerian attacker, signed earlier this season as a free agent, scored a brace (20′ and 32′), giving his side a head start in a challenging away fixture, especially after they were beaten 0-1 by Jamshedpur FC in their previous outing.
Flushing with the after-effects of this victory and bagging his first goals in the Indian Super League, Effiong sat down for an exclusive interaction with the India Sports Tribune. He virtually beamed with pride when asked to describe his experience of having played in India so far.
“It has been a very good experience for me to play for Punjab FC in the Indian Super League (ISL). All of us waited too long for it to start and get this experience. So far, I’d say it has been nice. It was worth the wait!” said Effiong.
Quite naturally, the conversation turned towards Punjab FC’s game against Bengaluru FC, in which the 26-year-old played a heroic role. Effiong’s heatmap showed that he made 47 touches all across the pitch, even stepping up to help his midfielders and defenders when they lost the ball.
“The game was good; it was tough. But we got the three points, so it was good. Bengaluru FC challenged us in all three departments, but we hung around, and we did the best we could. The coach [Panagiotis Dilmperis] asked us to keep our eyes on the ball at all times, and crunch down spaces, so that’s what we did,” he said.
“I mean, the pressure from the last game was immense, since we lost it [0-1 to Jamshedpur FC]. I wouldn’t say it didn’t force us to play under pressure; it did, but it also demanded so much from us. Most importantly, I’m happy that we came back strongly in this game and picked up all three points,” he added.
“I want to dedicate this win to Punjab FC coach Panagiotis Dilmperis” – Nsungusi Effiong after win over Bengaluru FC
Effiong ended the evening with a 100% shooting accuracy, which is no mean feat for an overseas player in just his second outing in the ISL. Of the 47 touches he made, four came in the Bengaluru FC box, proving that he was alive to every opportunity coming his way from his teammates.
Effiong also made three recoveries and four defensive contributions. This shows that he is not a one-trick pony for Punjab FC; he can be relied on to put in the work even when his side does not have the ball. The lanky striker had a 50% success rate in winning aerial duels, too.
The former HB Koge player credited Punjab FC coach Panagiotis Dilmperis for imbuing a fighting spirit in the side. Effiong also dedicated this victory to the latter. The Greek, who took charge of the Shers in 2024, had admittedly been tough but equal parts supportive and encouraging, Effiong felt.
“The coach – he has been tough. He has been very supportive and very encouraging. He keeps giving us new ideas, new plans, and new strategies to work on, and I am thoroughly enjoying it. I think I want to dedicate this win to him. But things have just got started; we cannot stop now. All we need to do now is to build on this and get more victories and score more goals,” said Effiong.
Effiong also spoke about how important this win was for the fans of Punjab FC, who must have been disheartened to see them lose 0-1 to Jamshedpur FC in their opening fixture. This win, coming away from home against former ISL winners Bengaluru FC, assumes immense proportions, even more since it was the first time they won at this venue.
“Most important of all is for us [at Punjab FC] to get more victories. I think it is very, very big for our fans, since this victory came away from home. I haven’t checked social media yet, but I can imagine how it is going to be. I think all our fans really appreciated this victory, especially because of the loss that we had in our last game,” he signed off.
ALSO READ: ISL 2025-26: Punjab FC cause major upset, stun Bengaluru FC away from home.
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