Football star, Alex Iwobi makes Nollywood debut
By Temitope Ojo
Super Eagles player and Arsenal forward, Alex Iwobi, has made his Nollywood debut in a new movie titled Inpadisu.
An official trailer for the film shows the 22-year-old footballer being hunted by mysterious characters after “a simple choice changed everything.”
Iwobi took to Instagram to confirm his role in the film alongside award-winning actress, Somkele Iyamah.
He shared the thriller and wrote: “Shot my Nollywood debut last month. A movie about choices coming soon.”
Fans and followers on Instagram have been commending the football star’s versatility and expressed their optimism on the quality production of the film.
One of his followers @somini wrote: “only you footballer…only you model…actor come join …we go soon her igbo album from you.”
A statement by his managers made available to Premium Times noted that Alex took time out of his extended break to participate in the movie shoot around Surulere, Lagos.
It was also confirmed that the filming for the movie ended in July before Arsenal training tour for the 2018/19 new football season began.
The Arsenal star is not the first Nigerian footballer to feature in a Nollywood film.
Former Dream Team goalkeeper, Emmanuel Babayaro, tried his hands out in acting a few years back. He has produced and starred in numerous movies including Growing Up, Taking Chances, You Are My Sunshine and Fantastic Fanatics.
Former Super Eagles winger, John Utaka, also made his Nollywood debut in 2013 in a movie titled “Battered” alongside multi-award winning actress, Fatima Jabbe. The latter is currently the First Lady of Sierra Leone.
Osaze Odemwingie also made a cameo appearance in one of Babayaro’s movie, Growing Up, in 2005.
Just like Odemwingie, Obafemi Martins also featured in Growing Up, alongside Nollywood stars like Chioma Chukwuka, Basorge Tariah and Yemi Blaq.
Iwobi was born in Lagos before moving to England at the age of four. He is the nephew of former professional footballer Jay-Jay Okocha.