Daniel Chima Chukwu Exclusive: Jamshedpur FC striker on Struggle, life with Red Miners, Ultimate Goal and More

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Indian football has been a breeding ground for Nigerians over the years. Top-notch Nigerian footballers have graced Indian football and have represented many clubs in the past and are continuing to do so.

Among the stars of the past and present, Daniel Chima Chukwu is a name that is making noises in the recent season.

Daniel Chima Chukwu has become a sensation at Jamshedpur FC this season. The Nigerian striker is in excellent form and is going to be their biggest driving force in the Kalinga Super Cup knockouts.

JFC has qualified for the Super Cup semifinals and will be up against East Bengal in the crucial tie. And ahead of that, Jamshedpur's Nigerian striker sat with MyKhel for an exclusive interview. Here is a complete excerpt of Chima Chukwu's interview.

Time at Jamshedpur FC

Daniel has already scored 8 goals this season, 5 of them came in the ISL and he has netted 3 goals in the Super Cup. He has netted 17 goals in 41 matches since joining Jamshedpur FC in 2022 and says he is enjoying his time there.

"I am enjoying my time at Jamshedpur. My experience has been up and down. The first season was good, the second one was a bump, but this season has started to become smooth after a rough start."

Early days of Football and How it Started

"I was born in Nigeria. We didn't have the best infrastructure and we used to play on the street. Me and my brothers used to kick on balls made of accumulating plastic and people identified my potential there. I started training and got a chance in a Pro division team in Nigeria."

East Bengal and the Unfinished Business

Daniel Chima Chukwu started his career with East Bengal, but things didn't work out well in the Kolkata club. And the Nigerian says he didn't want to leave them.

"In East Bengal, I was treated well. But we were having a tough time which affected our performance in that season. I scored two goals and my intention was not to move. But I had to go to Europe for some personal reasons, and East Bengal couldn't afford to wait for me. They had all the foreigners injured and when I came back, I was not part of the club anymore.

I talked with Owen Coyle and he brought me in at Jamshedpur FC. He had the belief in me and I was in quarantine after coming back and missed some matches. But then I had a superb last part of the season," said Chima Chukwu.

Khalid Jamil, ISL and Super Cup

JFC's striking sensation says they were not getting over the line despite playing well in the previous tenure. But Khalid Jamil's arrival has sprung the team into life.

"The team was doing well, but we were not getting the result. Towards the end of the year, things started to get better. When he (Khalid Jamil) got here, the belief he had and his communication made the players elevate their game. The intensity in the training is high and the results are coming as well."

When asked about his strengths as a striker, Chima says he enjoys both holding the ball and scoring for the team.

"I like to keep the ball but that's not all. I try to be at the right place at the right time to score the goal."

On Flatlets in Jamshedpur

The unique system of Jamshedpur FC where all players stay together in a facility is something which Daniel likes. The player says it helps to build a friendship beyond football.

"This gives us an opportunity to make friends among teammates. We play together and chill together, talk about things outside football. That gives the brotherhood and deep friendship, which is very important for us."

We can take it to the ISL: Chima Chukwu

The Nigerian says the upward trajectory of the recent month can help them to launch a strong bid in the ISL.

"From the last two games in ISL, it clearly shows that we are getting there. This Super Cup has been great for us so far. We are already in the phase where we can take it to ISL."

It is to be seen how things unfold for the Red Miners in the second half of ISL. They are currently in the bottom half of the table and will need a big effort to qualify for the playoffs. But one thing is for sure, the fortunes of Jamshedpur will tilt on Daniel Chima Chukwu's prowess in front of goal.

"I don't set targets and I aim to score as many goals as I can get," he concludes, but the Nigerian knows the 'aim' has to be quite a significant one if he has to rescue Jamshedpur this season.