Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam’s Personal Details
Name: Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam
Position: Defender
Date of Birth: 2 March 2003
Hometown: Manipur, India
Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam is an emerging defender in Indian women’s football, known for her athleticism, tactical awareness, and contributions at both club and international level. A product of Manipur’s rich footballing culture, she combines defensive resilience with effectiveness in forward support, qualities that have earned her regular selection for the Indian national team.
Born and raised in Manipur, Nirmala grew up in a state celebrated for producing football talent. From an early age, she developed her passion for the game and progressed through Manipur’s competitive youth football structures;a pathway that has shaped many of India’s top women footballers. Her formative football education included time with local teams such as Andro Mahilla MA, and she later moved through clubs in the Indian Women’s League (IWL), gaining valuable match experience and maturity in her role.
Nirmala’s journey was strongly influenced by the footballing culture and mentorship available in her community, including inspirational grassroots movements that empowered girls through the sport.
At Sethu FC she has been a core part of the defensive unit, regularly starting games and helping the team compete strongly in the league. Nirmala’s national breakthrough came in 2025, when she was selected by coach Crispin Chettri for the Indian senior women’s team preparing for the Pink Ladies Cup in the UAE. She earned her senior India debut on 20 February 2025 against Jordan at the Al Hamriya Sports Club Stadium in Sharjah.
Her defensive performances continued through 2025 and into early 2026, and she has become a regular member of the national setup. As of 4 March 2026, Nirmala has accumulated 10 international caps, scoring her first goal for India in a 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifier against Iraq, contributing to a 5-0 victory.
Her blend of defensive solidity and composure has made her a dependable option for India’s backline as the team competes in major Asian qualifiers and international friendlies.
Honours & Recognition:
While Nirmala is still early in her international career, her contributions at club level and goal for the national team signal her growing impact:
International
Scored for India in a 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifier vs Iraq (5-0).
