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Tag: star

  • Why I kept hat-trick star on bench — Falconets’ coach

    Why I kept hat-trick star on bench — Falconets’ coach

    • Says Nigeria will shock Tunisia in 2nd leg

     

    Falconets’ Chief Coach, Peter Dedevbo has given SportingLife his reasons for benching hat-trick star, Uchechi Sunday, in the first half of the team’s 4-0 drubbing of Tunisia on Saturday.

    The game, a second round of qualifying series for Canada 2014 FIFA Under 20 Female World Cup, did not produce any goal until Uchechi was introduced.

    Uchechi, who replaced a hard-working Yetunde Adeboyejo in the 46th minute of the game, still helped herself to a hat-trick.

    “I always like keeping my best players on the bench before bringing them in. That is my style,” he said.

    Speaking about his team’s general performance in the match, Dedevbo stated his displeasure about how they played, especially in the first half.

    “I really don’t know what went wrong with the girls. We had told them what to expect with the Tunisians because we had watched their matches and knew how they would play. But they could not get their acts together on time.”

    “I must be honest with you, my team did not play well, especially in the first half. I am really disappointed but we will correct our mistakes before the second leg.

    “I am confident of defending this result in Tunisia. There is no way Tunisia will score and my team won’t score in the second leg. We will scale through in Tunisia”, he assured.

  • ‘I don’t live the life of a star’Mistura Asunramu-Alao

    ‘I don’t live the life of a star’Mistura Asunramu-Alao

    WHAT have you been up to lately?

    I have been active and moving from one location to another.

    You just finished work on your new movie. What is it about?

    It’s a big movie that will shake the industry when it is released into the market. My fans will see me in another dimension. It is a comedy movie and parades some of the best hands in the industry. It’s a movie everyone must watch. Honestly, there is no dull moment with this movie. It’s not just any movie but one with a class.

    Why is it that you do not produce movies like your other colleagues?

    I don’t do things because others are doing them. I want to give my fans the best, so I don’t rush to locations every now and then to churn out movies. What I give out is the best. I am more concerned about quality and not quantity.

    While working on your new movie, what were the challenges you faced?

    Every movie has its own challenges. And because you tend to take a different role, it is challenging from what I am used to.

    Your other movies didn’t quite make waves. Do you think this will do well?

    This is not true. The few movies I’ve produced and co-produced have made waves: Apo Iyako, Atopinpin, Atannipa, just to mention but a few, and I receive messages from my fans with positive comments all the time. Watch out for my new movie, Omo Tee, which was released last month by Lawlah his grace. It will shake the industry. It’s far better than the previous ones.

    Do you have plans to take it to the cinemas before releasing it into DVD?

    You mean the one I just finished?

    Yes…

    I can’t say now. There are plans for that anyway, but no conclusion on it yet.

    As a fast-rising actress, how have you managed to stay off scandals?

    I leave my life as a normal person, not as a star. I have never allowed stardom get into my head and I won’t. I am from a Muslim home and I am a practicing Muslim, so that has been a guide to my way of life.

    How does your husband react to you acting ‘sex’ roles in movies?

    I don’t do sex role in movies; maybe you mean romantic roles. If it’s that, he understands me perfectly. He knows that, it’s my job and he knows there are no strings attached but just acting, doing my job to educate people. He is an understanding man.

    How do you, as a busy person, have time to take care of your child?

    I do cherish family life a lot. My husband and daughter, I take good care of them. My job as an actress doesn’t affect my duty as a wife and mother.

    What was the attraction when you two met?

    That is personal, I won’t like to advertise him. But the truth is, he is the best man any lady can pray to have.

    Don’t you think belonging to a particular association or caucus would have helped you get to the group of A-list actors today?

    Everyone is a star and A-list actor in their own right. I work with everybody and every caucus in the industry. Stardom is from God and not a function of your affiliation, caucus or person.

    Why preference for Yoruba movies?

    I actually started with English movie. I am open to it if called upon. I have been contacted lately by some producers for English movie but waiting for the dates.

    Who are your friends in the industry?

    Everybody is my friend.

    Only a few of the Yoruba actors were present at the dinner with the president at the last celebration of Nollywood@20. Why was that so?

    I think those that were there were the ones invited.

    Would you act a pornography movie when given a mouth-watering offer?

    I will never descend so low to do such a thing. Even if all the money in the whole world is involved, I won’t do it. I am from a good home, a practicing Muslim and an African. I am a role model to some people, a wife and a mother. Count me out of such movie.

    What do you do asides acting?

    I work as a civil servant.

    How do you unwind?

    I relax with my family at home and visit some recreation centres like the cinema, amusement parks, shopping malls and swimming pool with my family. I do attend events too when I’m not busy.

    And how do you maintain your beauty?

    Staying natural and eating right.

    How do you manage advances from the opposite sex?

    I have been handling it the way any mature lady would. It is a free world and everyone has a right to make amorous moves when expressing their feeling. I always try to be friendly about it. I do appreciate those who show interest in me because I believe they must have liked me before proposing an affair. I try to tell them I appreciate and understand the feelings, but I am married to the love of my life.

    Not many actresses will marry a journalist…

    I did not marry him because of his profession, but because he trusts me and believes in me and I am working consciously not to betray the trust and confidence my husband has in me. I love him and he loves me. I’ve never had any scandal and I am working hard to maintain that status quo.

    How do you deal with the issue of rivalry in your industry? Have you ever clashed over a role with anybody?

    I have never fought anybody and I can never fight anyone because of a role. I don’t need to fight for roles because I possess all it takes to be cast by directors. I am not just an actress, I am a trained actress and I am not resting on my oars, I am improving on myself on a daily basis.

    As far as acting is concerned, who are some of the people who motivated you?

    Nobody motivated me, I had the inner passion for the job; the passion pushed me to make the first move and I don’t have any regrets taking that step. Even when I sensed some reservation from my parents, I kept moving because my passion was my driving force till my family was duly convinced I was on the right path.

    How long do you intend to stay in acting?

    I am in the job for the rest of my life by God’s grace. I didn’t get into this industry by accident. It is what I enjoy doing. There is always a role for everybody, being a mother doesn’t stop me from acting, I will always deliver.

    Childlessness, very busy schedule are often the reasons for most separations in the industry. Do you think your husband loves you enough to stay with you if you find yourself in any such situation?

    I am sure he loves me more than that. And thank God, such cannot even be our portion. I won’t say more than that. We are together forever.

    How many awards have you won?

    I was nominated for Best Yoruba Actress sequel to my performance in Seyi Specialborn’s movie, Ayesan, in 2011 edition of Yoruba Heritage Awards, London while I won Best Scandal-Free Award category in 2011 edition of Best of Nollywood Awards.

    Upcoming actresses, particularly in the Yoruba Nollywood industry, often face attacks by their ‘seniors’…

    I believe that you cannot demand respect, you earn it. If they see me as someone they can respect, fine. If otherwise, life goes on. And mark you, the time you join an industry doesn’t add or reduce from your chronological age. Would you expect me to ask a 50- year-old woman who newly joined the industry to respect me?

    Who do you regard as your contemporaries and elders in the industry?

    I cannot start mentioning names, but there are so many that are not only my seniors, but my fathers and mothers. I have contemporaries, and I have people who look up to me.

    They say that among most Yoruba actresses, the use of bleaching cream is popular. Why do you think most of them do it?

    This is my God-given colour, why would I need to tone or bleach? Colour has nothing to do with acting, but rather your facial expression, gesticulation and manners. Moreover, I am not competing with anybody in the industry. There is no point trying to be like another person when my features are being envied by others. The truth is, my skin colour always sets me apart. I have featured in more than 80 good movies with this complexion of mine. What else can I ask for?

    Among several roles you have played, which one was most challenging?

    Sincerely speaking, I will say Adepate. It is a story that was shot three years ago, but is yet to be released till now. It was not easy.

    How religious are you?

    I am very religious. As a Muslim, I pray five times a day when I am not working.

    When did you start acting professionally?

    I started in 2002 when I featured in a movie entitled Love and Passion. After a while, I joined Oga Bello’s Awada Kerikeri Organisation’ where I started out playing what is termed ‘waka-pass’ roles. Later, my directors assigned me minor roles. But I thank God now. The journey was very rough when I started, but now, the story is different.

    How true is it that you have to be intimate with someone at the top to get to the top?

    Sleeping with people or stakeholders cannot shoot one into the limelight. Those who believe they can make their way to the top by sleeping around end up getting minor roles. And if the person doesn’t have what it takes to excel, that person won’t go far. I have never slept with anyone in the industry; I can boldly say it anywhere and before anybody. While I cannot deny the existence of such in the industry, it just depends on how you present yourself.

  • Five star Swansea rout Bradford 5-0

    Five star Swansea rout Bradford 5-0

    Premier League Swansea City clinically crushed fourth tier Bradford City 5-0 to win the English Capital One (League) Cup final on Sunday and mark their centennial season with their first major honour.

    Two goals from Nathan Dyer, one from Michu and a penalty and a late strike from Jonathan de Guzman ended Bradford’s fairytale cup adventure in which they became the first fourth-tier team to reach a big English final for more than half a century.

    Bradford goalkeeper Matt Duke was sent off early in the second half for a trip on De Guzman before the Dutchman netted the spot kick as Swansea went on to record the biggest ever League Cup final win and secure a place in next term’s Europa League.

    Bradford, whose huge contingent of flag-waving fans made a memorable impression at Wembley, never seriously threatened to score in the very one-sided final having previously dumped out top flight Wigan Athletic, Arsenal and Aston Villa.

    Welsh side Swansea, who have only been in the Premier League for two seasons, took the lead when Dyer slid the ball home in the 16th minute and doubled it five minutes before the break when Michu scored with a cool finish.

    Dyer ended the match as a contest with a superb curling shot soon after the restart.

    De Guzman made no mistake with his 59th-minute penalty after winning a heated row with hat-trick chasing Dyer over who would take the spot kick. The midfielder added another in stoppage time.

    Swansea dominated from the opening whistle while Bradford, who showed so much enterprise and verve in knocking out Premier League opponents on their stunning run to the final, sat back and defended allowing the top-flight side to take the initiative they never relinquished.

    In essence, to have any chance of winning the game, Bradford had to reach halftime without conceding a goal but that target ended when Dyer reacted quickly to slam in Duke’s parried save from a shot from Michu.

    The game then developed a familiar pattern of Swansea attacking almost at will and Bradford defending with only the sporadic foray upfield and it was no surprise when Swansea made it 2-0 in the 40th minute.

    Defender Ben Davies began the move with a pass to Pablo Hernandez, who then fed Michu whose left foot shot went through Carl McHugh’s legs and past Duke into the far corner for his 19th goal of the season.

    Dyer made it 3-0 with a wonderful goal after a one-two with Wayne Routledge before De Guzman grabbed his brace.

    “Conceding the goals when we did made it very difficult for us,” Bradford boss Phil Parkinson said. “It was tough for us today but enormous credit to our guys for getting to the final.”

    Swansea, who have won the Welsh Cup 10 times and formerly represented Wales in the old European Cup Winners’ Cup, will now be one of England’s representatives next season on their return to Europe after an absence of more than 20 years.

    “Swansea have come so far as a club and a city. The players have worked so hard all week. It’s been a great day,” Dyer said of a team in the fourth tier 13 years ago when Bradford were in the Premier League.

    “I haven’t scored in a while, obviously I wanted a hat trick. I thought I should have got the ball (on the penalty) but it wasn’t to be.”

  • Star of destiny (4)

    New friends are like diamonds- they glitter But old friends are like gold- solid and dependable

    How many times will I tell you that they are my younger sister’s social club members. She begged me to receive them. How could I refuse her?” James stated. After his guests’ departure, Muna had accosted him, demanding why he had allowed them to visit him at home. They had been on the issue for sometime and he was getting irritated by her attitude.

    He went to the mini-bar in the living room, took a bottle from his wide collection of liquor and poured some in a glass. After taking a sip, he looked at her and said:

    “Look, Muna, this your jealous attitude is beginning to get on my nerves. I have a lot of fans because of the job I do and my popularity. Do you now expect me to ignore them because my girlfriend can’t stand them? Afterall, you have your own fans as well and I don’t go crazy when they contact you.”

    “The situation is different. I don’t allow mine to come too close to me while yours are mostly crazy fans who are all over you all the time. And it pisses me off,” she stated.

    “Well, there’s nothing that can be done about the situation. So, you have to learn to live with it,” he said, taking another sip of his drink.

    “That’s where you are wrong. I can’t sit here and watch all these boyfriend-snatching bitches come and go as they like in this house. So, the first thing is that, I never want to see any fan in this house again!” she declared.

    He looked at her, a surprised look on his face.

    “What did you just say?” he asked.

    “You heard me. No more fans coming here! They can meet you elsewhere but not in this house!” she stated vehemently.

    “Is that so? You know what Muna? You seem to have forgotten something. You are my girlfriend not my wife. So, you can’t tell me who can or can’t come to my own home!” he said.

    “I can and I will,” she insisted.

    “Will you shut that mouth of yours or…” James said angrily.

    “I won’t. What can you do,” she challenged him, getting up to stand with her hands on her hips.

    “You dare talk to me like that? You this…” and jumping up from his seat, he rushed at her. He slapped her, and shoving her in the chair, began to rain blows on her. She tried to avoid the punches begging him to stop. But he was like one possessed and as the blows got harder, she started screaming. That attracted the attention of Michael and a maid who rushed into the room and struggled to pry the angry James from her…

     

    * * *

    Muna was lucky. Apart from a few bruises on her arms and neck, she was relatively unhurt from the beating. But it left a deep wound in her heart. How could he treat her so when he claimed to love her, she kept thinking. Debi felt the same way.

    “That guy must be a beast! How can he beat you like this just because of a little quarrel? If I were you, I will keep away from him,” she stated, eyeing the bruises on her friend’s body.

    Muna shook her head.

    “I can’t. I love him. Besides, he has apologized and begged for forgiveness,” she pointed out.

    “Love!” Debi scoffed. “Do you want to wait until he breaks your head one of these days before you come to your senses? If he truly loves you as you say, he will not treat you this way,” she noted.

    But Muna did not reply. She was thinking about his visit to her a day after the fight. He had come bearing gifts with plenty of apologies, blaming his behaviour on the alcohol he had taken.

    “You know I love you Muna. You are the one who makes me happy. Forgive me. And I promise this will never happen again,” he said in a sorrowful voice. Seeing the sad look on his face, her heart melted.

    They made up then, a move that did not go down well with Debi. But it was her life and there was nothing her friend could do about it. On her part, Muna decided to ignore some of his excesses and his relationships with other ladies for her peace of mind and to avoid further conflicts.

    But she forgot her promise when she visited him at home early one morning sometime later. It was his birthday and she wanted to surprise him that morning. But she was the one who got a surprise. On entering the house, she saw a strange girl downstairs in the kitchen preparing breakfast. Worse still, she was wearing one of her night gowns she had left in James’ bedroom the previous week.

    “What’s going on here?” she demanded.

    The girl looked up in surprise at Muna, at the same time exclaiming: “Ah, it’s Muna! Hi!” She seemed excited at seeing the actress.

    But Muna ignored her.

    “Who are you?” she enquired.

    “She’s with me.” Muna turned to see James standing at the kitchen door in a pair of blue boxers and nothing else.

    “James! Thank God you are here! Who’s this girl and what’s she doing here?” she demanded.

    James addressed the girl.

    “You! Go upstairs and get dressed.”

    He left, went to the living-room and stretched out on the couch. Muna followed him.

    “So, it has gotten to this. You now bring all kinds of girls here and flaunt them in my face. James how could you?” she stated accusingly.

    He was silent for a while, then he spoke.

    “Look, I went out with a couple of friends last night, got drunk and I ended up here with her. So, what’s the big deal?”

    “You are asking me that? Well, the big deal is that I’m your girlfriend and I demand some respect!” she retorted, getting worked up. She could sense another quarrel coming but she didn’t care.

    “Fine, you are my girlfriend. But that does not mean I can’t have others in my life. We are not married for Christ’ sakes,” he stated.

    Muna slumped on a chair, suddenly feeling weak.

    “Do you know you are breaking my heart with all these things you are doing?” she said softly, tears coursing down her face. He was silent and simply stared warily at her.

    About six months later, Muna got injured in an accident while on location. On the day of the accident, she had gone to James’ room at the hotel where they were staying for the shoot and caught him in bed with another actress. What hurt Muna most was that she was not on good terms with the lady who considered Muna a rival and hated her with a passion. Out of shock, she had run out of the hotel and had been hit by a car while crossing the road.

    She was in the hospital for about a week and though James came to visit her, she refused to see him. She had had enough of his trouble and wanted nothing more to do with him. Back home, while converlescing, Alex, who heard about the accident, visited her. Muna wept when she saw him again, realizing how much she missed him. How could she have left him for James? He had always been good to her and had treated her well. It was only now, having lost him, that she realized what she had in Alex: a true friend.

    “Why don’t you beg him for forgiveness? Perhaps he will take you back,” Debi advised her after he had gone.

    “You think he will listen to me?” she asked sceptically.

    “There’s no harm in trying,” she stated.

    So, on his next visit, after staying for a while and was getting ready to leave, Muna had gone on her knees and pleaded:

    “Alex, I’m very sorry about what I did to you. Please forgive me. I want you back in my life.”

    He stood still for a while, shook his head and walked out of the door…

    Concluded

    Should Alex forgive Muna and take her back? We will like to hear your views on this!

     

    Send comments/suggestions to psaduwa@yahoo.com or 08023201831

  • Dauda relishing Red Star Belgrade move

    Dauda relishing Red Star Belgrade move

    : Itchy to begin league title chase

    Last weekend, it was revealed that Abiola Dauda was on his way to Serbia to sign the dotted lines with Super Liga club Red Star Belgrade.

    Dauda arrived Belgrade late on Monday and has completed his switch to the former European champions. After a routine medical examination, the 25 – year – old attacker penned a two – and – a – half – year contract with Red Star Belgrade.

    “I had interest from clubs in Israel, Turkey, FC Zorya (Ukraine) and FC Ural (Russia) and some clubs in the Chinese League. But there was no offer on the table until Red Star Belgrade came into the picture. I did not waste time in accepting the proposal because I didn’t know when I will get offers from other clubs.

    “I am happy to play for Red Star Belgrade. It is a fantastic club with great history too. I am looking forward to training now and should be in shape before the start of the league later in the month,” Dauda told allnigeriasoccer.com.

    Abiola Dauda will play with the number nine jersey for Red Star Belgrade, who are 2nd in the championship.

  • Ethiopia star targets quarter finals

    Ethiopia are returning to the African Cup of Nations after 31 years in the international wilderness.

    Pitted in the same group with one of the traditional tournament favorites Nigeria, defending champions Zambia and Burkina Faso, striker Adane Girma has commented on the Antelopes chances of progressing to the knock out round of the competition.

    ”We are here to play and win matches but we also realise that we are up against teams like Nigeria, Burkina Faso and to a degree Zambia with players playing in foreign leagues like in Europe. Ethiopia only has Saladin Said who plays in Egypt and Yusuf Saleh based in Sweden but everyone else is playing in Ethiopia. So we are also learning as we play these more experienced players. Our target is to reach quarter finals,” Girma told the official website of CAF.

    Coach Sewnet Bishaw has been putting the pieces together in rebuilding a team to reclaim Ethiopia’s glory days as one of the top sides from the continent.

    ”We are a young side with me and Dawit the oldest at 27 years and the youngest member is 20years old. The coach Sewnet Bishaw has been central to the unity and cohesion in the team and he is like a father to us. We got tired of been told of our successful past history and simply want to bring back some of that success back to Ethiopia football.”

    Ethiopia start the tournament with a tricky fixture against defending champions Zambia today, January 21.