Uche Jombo Blends Her Passion for Football, Film in ‘Onye Egwu’

Iyke Bede

Nollywood actress Uche Jombo introduces a new dimension in her Prime Video exclusive film ‘Onye Egwu’, where she intertwines her love for football and film to weave a narrative that celebrates family values and moral principles.

A dramedy, the film traces the story of Nigerian-born international football star Alex (Zubby Michaels), who meets an unexpected end to his illustrious career. He embarks on a journey to revive his career by seeking various unconventional solutions but ultimately finds fulfilment when he crosses paths with a young rising star, Chinedu (Ojuolape Kayode), who has very little means to advance his career.

Jombo, who dons the roles of producer and director, is producing the feature-length film through her own production outfit, Uche Jombo Studios. She revealed her determination to bring the film to fruition despite facing numerous challenges.

“My two greatest loves are film and football. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to infuse the two. So, I was set in my ways on how I wanted the story told.”

Shot in Lagos, Abeokuta, and Istanbul, production spanned a two-year creative journey from principal photography to post-production involving 300 creatives. Jombo revealed that to authentically capture the passion of football on screen, professional footballers were brought in. They trained alongside the lead actor to ensure a convincing portrayal.

The film boasts a prolific lineup that also includes Jombo, Toyin Abraham, Lateef Adedimeji, Natacha Akide, Lilian Esoro, Ini Edo, Sani Danja, Nancy Isime, Uchemba Williams, Chioma Akpotha, and others.

‘Onye Egwu’ is now available for streaming on Prime Video.