Onye Egwu feels like a missed opportunity to explore the complexities and triumphs of the football world, instead succumbing to clichés and predictable plot points.
By Joseph Jonathan
As an avid football fan and lover of sports drama films, I was thrilled to learn about Onye Egwu, a film directed by Uche Jombo, that promised to pay tribute to the beautiful game. Given the rarity of sports-themed films in Nollywood, I had high hopes that this film would not only showcase the passion and excitement that Nigerians have for football but also deliver a compelling narrative that would resonate with audiences. Unfortunately, my excitement was short-lived, as the film failed to live up to its promise.
Written by Victor Alabi, Jack’enneth Opukeme, and Stephen Oluboyo, Onye Egwu is a tale of two contrasting worlds. On one hand, football sensation, Alex (Zubby Michael), famously known as Onye Egwu, is facing the harsh reality of a premature retirement due to persistent injuries that threaten to cut short his illustrious career. Desperate to salvage his career, Alex seeks spiritual help to rediscover his form. On the other hand, Nedu (Kayode Ojuolape), a young prodigy–also nicknamed Onye Egwu–is making waves in his local community with his exceptional talent.
However, despite his obvious potential, Nedu’s future in the sport hangs in the balance as his mother, Ngozika (Uche Jombo), struggles to make ends meet and cannot afford to send him to a professional football academy without compromising the well-being of her other two children. As Nedu’s chances of success seem to slip away, a glimmer of hope appears, offering a chance for his dreams to be rekindled.
Inspirational and emotional plots are a key ingredient in successful sports drama films, captivating audiences and leaving a lasting impact. Classic examples like Rocky (1976), Creed (2015), Gran Turismo (2023), and Air (2023) showcase underdog characters overcoming incredible odds through determination and hard work. Their journeys are transformative, leading to personal growth, redemption, and triumph, evoking emotions ranging from excitement to heartbreak.
However, Onye Egwu falls short despite possessing some of these characteristics. Inconsistencies in style, plot, and performance hinder the film from reaching its full potential. One notable misstep is the film’s reliance on telling rather than showing, particularly in depicting Alex’s successful football career. Unlike Gran Turismo, which masterfully immerses the audience in Jann Mardenborough’s incredible journey from teenage gamer to professional racing driver, Onye Egwu glosses over Alex’s rise to fame.
Mardenborough’s story is a testament to the power of determination and hard work, as he overcomes incredible odds to achieve his dreams. In contrast, Alex’s journey is barely sketched, with little to no detail about his accomplishments or the challenges he faced. As a result, the audience struggles to fully relate to and sympathise with him during his premature retirement, making his story feel unearned and lacking in emotional resonance.
Also, Nedu’s journey as an aspiring footballer falls short of resonating with the audience due to a lack of context. While his passion for the game is clear, the stakes are not adequately established, leaving the audience uninvested in his success. In many African countries including Nigeria, football is often seen as a lifeline to wealth and a better life, particularly for those who cannot afford quality education.
The fear of failure and the desire to escape poverty serve as a powerful motivator for young footballers. However, Nedu’s story does not effectively convey the gravity of his situation, making his eventual success feel lightweight and lacking in emotional impact. By not exploring the high stakes and intense pressure that come with chasing a career in football, the film misses an opportunity to create a more compelling narrative.
Besides the plot, the film also raises questions of verisimilitude: the appearance of being true or believable. Alex, supposedly an international superstar who has shone for both club and country, lacks tangible evidence of a remarkable career. We never see him in a football kit, aside from the initial scene, and there are no visual cues of his accomplishments, such as trophies or jerseys, in his home.
His physical condition also raises questions, as he’s supposedly struggled with injuries, including two ACL tears in just two years. Given the cumulative toll of these injuries and the demands of a high-intensity football career, it’s surprising that Alex doesn’t exhibit any noticeable physical limitations. You’d expect him to at least have a noticeable limp, but instead, he appears remarkably agile and capable. The only indication of his career’s decline comes through repetitive dialogue, rather than any tangible visual cues or performance nuances.
The frailties of the plot are further exacerbated by the overall underwhelming acting performances. The majority of the cast, particularly those in lead roles, fail to convincingly embody their characters. For instance, Zubby looked out of touch with his character, failing to effectively portray the emotion of disappointment and loss that comes with being forced into early retirement from the sport that defines him. The only notable exception is Jombo, who delivers a standout performance despite her dual responsibilities as both actress and filmmaker.
As for the other actors, they appear uneasy on screen, often delivering lines that seem disconnected from the action, further exacerbating the film’s lack of believability and putting the direction into question.
In conclusion, while Onye Egwu may borrow elements from successful sports dramas, it ultimately falls short of delivering a captivating story that leaves a lasting impact on its audience. Despite its promising premise, the film’s underdeveloped characters, and lack of emotional resonance hinder its ability to truly connect with viewers.
As a result, Onye Egwu feels like a missed opportunity to explore the complexities and triumphs of the football world, instead succumbing to clichés and predictable plot points. With a more nuanced approach to storytelling and character development, this film could have been a standout in the sports drama genre; unfortunately, it fails to leave a lasting impression, making it a forgettable addition to Nollywood’s ever-growing list of obscure films.
Rating: 1.9/5
(Onye Egwu is currently streaming on Amazon Prime)
Joseph Jonathan is a historian who seeks to understand how film shapes our cultural identity as a people. He believes that history is more about the future than the past. When he’s not writing about film, you can catch him listening to music or discussing politics. He tweets @JosieJp3.