Football legend Yaya Toure once compared the game to passion; therefore, it should come as no surprise that football pairs so well with romance, a concept equally driven by strong feelings.
This combination of passion and love is embodied in Inkblot Productions’ new theatrical release, ‘When Love Strikes,’ directed by Adeoluwa Owu of ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ fame and backed by Bet9ja.
The film follows Ibukun Saka, played by ‘Far From Home’ star Natse Jemide, a young football prodigy caught in a dilemma: choosing between his football dreams and pursuing college to support his family. As the first-ever football-themed film to grace Nigerian cinemas, ‘When Love Strikes’ has garnered praise from sports journalists, who describe it as “a long time coming.”
Football is undeniably the country’s most popular sport. Many Nigerian boys grow up kicking anything resembling a ball—plastic bottles, tins—around their neighbourhoods. Natse Jemide, the film’s lead actor, was one of those boys. A football enthusiast, he captained his secondary school’s football team. Now, he’s stepped into the shoes of a football star, a turn of fate that feels like destiny.
Meanwhile, Vine Olugu, who plays Jason Okpara, Ibukun’s rival, faced more of a challenge. To prepare for his role, Olugu had to lose weight and train alongside professional footballers and coaches, while Natse, already accustomed to the game, thrived in his element. For a brief moment, Jemide even considered pursuing a professional football career.
Jemide’s journey mirrors his character’s in many ways. Like Ibukun, who must choose between football and education, he once found himself torn between a career in law or acting. Although he earned a law degree, he ultimately chose to follow his passion for acting. His mother, much like Ibukun’s, initially had reservations but eventually came around to support his decision.
The football community also played a significant role in bringing ‘When Love Strikes’ to life. Remo Stars, a Nigerian football club, opened their doors to the production team, offering their facilities and even featuring some of their players in the film.
No football experience is complete without commentary, and the film captures this essence with Suo Chapele, Africa’s first female Pidgin commentator, and sports personality Jimmie Akinsola, adding authentic energy to the on-screen matches.
The film’s arrival has sparked excitement among football enthusiasts, many of whom walked the red carpet at its premiere, calling for more football-centred stories and biopics on Nigerian football legends. ‘When Love Strikes’ seamlessly blends two beloved worlds—football and romance—and has sparked new conversations about the potential for more stories at this intersection.
