Toka Achumi celebrates a goal.
Rebecca Kits Jakhalu
Kohima | February 24
Loud cheers fill the stadium as the final whistle blows, signalling the end of another thrilling match in the Nagaland Super League.
For many, it is just another game. But for 26-year-old Toka Achumi, it is the perfect end to something he had started long before kick-off.
As he jogs off the field, sweat dripping from his brow, his Barak FC teammates are celebrating the victory. But Toka’s mind is back at the locker room, where a pair of worn-out boots are waiting for him. They are not just boots; they are his lucky charm, his talisman.
Before every match, Toka does something that might come across as strange to others—he kisses his old boots and then sits for a prayer. It is a ritual that calms his mind and grounds him before the chaos of the game. “The boots are old and worn out, but they have been with me through thick and thin, through every win and loss,” Toka shares with The Morung Express.
“You wouldn’t even call them ‘boots’, looking at their present condition,” he jokes. “However, I have this strong belief that they bring me luck, and that is why, before I enter the ground,I kiss my old boots and pray to God for good luck,” he adds.
For Toka, it is a short, but important moment of reflection, reminding him of how far he has come and the struggles along the way.
Toka made a whirlwind entry at the inaugural season of the Nagaland Super League (NSL) as Barak FC’s player. After the end of the first round played from January 28 to February 19, 2025, Toka is at the top of the goal scorers’ list with 7 goals--including a hattrick and2 assists to his name, and a steadily increasing fan base. Neisede Peseyie of the Nagaland United Sports Club (NUSC) also has 7 goals and shares the top scorers’ list with Toka.
Hailing from Hozukhe Village under Niuland district, Toka’s football journey began in high school, when he was first called to fill in for a team that was short of a player.”Ever since, I developed an interest and a love for the game, and it only grew stronger after my college days,” he recalls.
Toka participated in various tournaments over the years and starred in various events like the Kohima Super Cup, representing the Aphuyemi FC and he has also been part of the Nagaland team for the Santosh Trophy three times, the most recent being in the 2023-24 edition.
However, with more space for passion than opportunity in Nagaland, Toka shares that he had to pursue his career as a footballer in other leagues like the Manipur State League and the Calcutta Football League (CFL), and also played for the Karbi Anglong Morning Star Football Club.
“I just kept playing with the drive to keep going, and the belief that I can make it big,” Toka says, reflecting on the early years.
“Then, I got the opportunity to play in the Nagaland Super League through my good friend Kevisanyu (Barak FC’s captain),” he shares. Playing in the NSL has been a great experience so far, and I am so happy that our state now has a top-tier football league, he adds. “Kudos to the Nagaland Football Association (NFA) and the state government for making this league a reality for us players,” he also says, appreciating the initiative. It is a great opportunity for young and upcoming players and I’m sure things will only get better from here on, he says.
A central defensive midfielder by trade, Toka’s transformation as Barak FC’s striker and the league’s top goal scorer is a testament to his versatility. “I’ve always been a defensive midfielder,” Toka says. But football is a game full of surprises, and for Toka, the surprises are more than welcome. “I am a versatile player and I am willing to play wherever my team needs me,” he adds, pointing out that he is comfortable and even enjoying his current position as a striker.
With his long, curly hair tied in his signature messy updo, Toka is hard to miss on and off the field. But what sets him apart in his forward role, ishis lean, tall frame, which offers a significant advantage. Boasting a height of 6 ft, his ability to rise above opponents and win aerial duels has turned him into a goal-scoring threat.
Toka attributes his success to God and his teammates.”I feel very blessed, and I thank God for bringing me this far,” he says. “I’m just doing my job. It is not just about the goals; it is about the love I have for the game. Football is a team game, and I owe my success in the league to my incredible teammates,” he adds.
To the fans, Toka shares his heartfelt message of gratitude-- “Special thanks to all the amazing fans who support us. It is because of your energy, passion, and belief in us that we are able to give our best on the field. With our 12th man, we can dream big and achieve something special. Let’s keep pushing forward, one match at a time.”
Toka’s goals have helped propel his team to the top of the table, and his performance has made him one of the most talked-about players in the league. His team, Barak FC remain unbeaten after 6 games and have qualified for the playoffs along with Nagaland United SC, Longterok FC and Sechü-Zubza FC.
With the NSL season set to resume on February 26, Toka and his trusty old boots are ready to continue their journey of good luck and exceptional football.
