By Benjamin Njoku

If you have been familiar with Uche Jombo’s hobbies, you will probably be aware of the actress’ special affinity with football as her second love after acting.

Before now, the actress was a well-known ardent supporter of Premiership clubside, Manchester United. She always shows her sheer dedication to the club whether they are winning or losing their matches.

Jombo has replicated the same love in her newly released football film, which was screened to a private audience days back at the Filmhouse, Lekki, Lagos, amid resounding ovation. The film tells the story of Alex, played by Zubby Michael, a footballer whose career was terminated due to injury.

Unable to accept the reality of his condition, Alex resorted to seeking spiritual solutions to his predicament. His hope was restored after a stranger showed up and advised him on how he can still be relevant and contribute meaningfully to the game he loves so dearly.

The movie, which also starred the likes of Ini Edo, Chioma Apotha, Nancy Isime, Tina Mba, Uche Jombo herself among other emerging actors is mind-blowing and a sincere dedication to the game of football. Sharing the story of the movie in chat with NollyNow, Uche Jombo said “Onyegwu is my way of honouring football as well as telling a realistic story through the tube.”

According to her, it took her two years to shoot the movie in two locations: Lagos and Turkey.

“My love for football inspired the movie. I love football so much. Everybody that knows me knows that my two greatest loves are film and football. This is my way of honouring football and also telling a realistic story of what retiring footballers go through when they feel like they have to hang their boots. Most of them really don’t prepare for that day. And when it comes to them it’s something of a mental issue. They go through so much without telling themselves the truth. Like our lead character, Alex, instead of admitting that it’s over, knowing that obviously age is no longer on his side, he resorted to seeking spiritual solutions to his problem.

‘That’s where mental health comes in. When people see this film, if there is anything to take away from it, it’s hope. While he resigned to fate, a total stranger showed up and gave him an idea on how he can still be relevant and contribute to the game he loves so much.”