Actor Seun Kentebe, in this interview with JOHNNY EDWARD, talks about his passion for sports and his love for karate, Victor Osimhen, and more
Did you engage in sports while growing up and which sport were you into?
I played a bit of football and basketball during my primary and secondary school years but while I was at the University it was Shotokan Karate, but I stopped at Orange belt.
Why did you stop Karate?
I had to when Nollywood came calling. I had numerous auditioning and roles to take up so I had to decide against furthering on karate.
Why didn’t you go into sports professionally?
I’m not really big on pursuing a career in sports. Even when I did Shotokan Karate, it was never because I wanted to enter into competitions, just basically for fitness and self defense.
Which football team do you support and why?
I’m a big fan of the Super Eagles and Manchester United. The Eagles have made me cry and laugh for joy whenever I watch them play just as Manchester United. They brought me joy when they won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia and in South Africa as well but when they failed to qualify for the World Cup in Germany in 2006 and the last edition broke my heart but overall they are a side with great talent and I hope they can live up to the expectations of Nigerians in future.
Manchester United has always given me joy until recently when the club started changing coaches. From David Moyes to Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunner Solksjear and now Erik Ten Hag, I just wish Ten Hag brings back the glory days.
He has started well and he needs to maintain the momentum to challenge for the Premier League title.
Do you think United can compete for the title?
Of course, they can, why are they competing in the first place? They have a good squad and I feel they need to be consistent to win titles again.
For how long have you been a fan of the club and what was your best moment as a supporter of that club?
I’ve been a Manchester United fan since my teenage years. In the 90s when they won six titles in 10 years. Players like Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, David Beckham, the Neville brothers, Teddy Sheringham Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole blazed the trail for the Red Devils back then.
…your worst moment as a fan?
Not winning the EPL title in a decade now has obviously being my worst moment as a fan. Though Manchester United has won the Community Shield, the Europa League and the Carabao Cup since then but the EPL has been elusive to the club.
Who would you rate as the greatest football player ever?
Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Pele), hands down. He is the greatest footballer ever.
Who is your favorite Nigerian player and why?
I’m torn between Victor Osimhen and Alex Iwobi, they’re both dynamic. Osimhen made history last season winning the top scorer award and the Serie A. He has also being a top player for the Nigerian team.
He has been nominated for the Ballon d’Or. Do you think he can win?
I hope he wins the prestigious title.
Nigeria will face Sao Tome in an AFCON qualifier in Uyo on Sunday, what are your thoughts about that game?
I’m really hoping they don’t rest on their oars, simply because they’ve already qualified for Africa Cup of Nations tournament. The Super Eagles need to revive the hunger that enabled them qualify in the first place and also use this game as a platform of preparation for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers slated for November. I wish them the very best.
Why did you opt to become an actor?
It may come as a surprise, but I wasn’t actually pursuing an acting career. My first ever acting experience was in primary school, a play titled “The Incorruptible Judge” and it was basically random selection. My university years had me focused on being a rapper, attended an audition for a Theatre group called Cypress Associates and failed, but got retained and learned stage craft. I started as a stage manager, which became short-lived as had to fill in for an actor that absconded. The rest is history.
What was the most challenging role you had to take up?
It was a dual role in a play titled “Finding Adaora” I played a Calabar man impersonating an Igbo native doctor. Juggling the accents, intonations and mannerisms was not child’s play, but it was a sweet, wholesome experience.
I actually wanted to be an architect, but Physics and Seun didn’t get along very well. Acting chose me, which was quite ironic, because I never saw myself as an actor. I was quite shy growing up. Still am. But my first acting experience was in primary school, in the play, The Incorruptible Judge and I played the Judge.
I was randomly selected, ironically and I just went with it. The next time I had anything to do with acting was in the University of Lagos.
A friend back then got a form for an audition held by Kayode Peters and Abiola Aloba of Cypress Associates. I wanted to pursue a career in music at the time and didn’t see the need to add theatre to the list, but KP convinced me to give it a shot. After two plays, I got hooked and it has been on since then.
What was your first acting role?
My first screen role was a character called Ugo in a sitcom called Twilight Zone. Felt awkward transitioning from stage to screen, but I had help from Kayode Peters and Abiola Aloba. After, so it wasn’t so bad. Took a while to get used to acting for the camera though, having to perform while blocking out the fact that I was being recorded and could see the process was tasking, but I pulled through. My acting break, professionally, was on stage and this was in 2011. The play was Double Jeopardy, produced by Peters and Abiola. As regards what informs the roles I accept, it stems from the story. Once I can read a script from start to finish, no breaks at all, I am sold and I really don’t think there is a ceiling to what role I can play however, some lines I can’t cross. For example, playing a gay man, I can do, but the making out aspect, naaaaah!!!
Likes and dislikes and the pains and gains of acting?
I like traveling, reading and making friends with people who are free spirits. I dislike pompous and dishonest people. The pains of the business include rejections, inadequate fees and the fact that actors still aren’t entitled to royalties from jobs done. Gains are recognition and appreciation from fans, plus being able to keep working because of my track record over time.
Most memorable stage and screen run?
For stage, it is Finding Adaora, produced and directed by Chidi Ukwu. My character, Emem, was all sorts of bonkers, as he switched from a Calabar accent to an Igbo accent. I totally enjoyed playing the character. For screen, a short film, it is The Dark Box, produced and directed by Yemi Jolaoso. My character was Fido, very goofy. I even bagged an award at last year’s Real Time International Film Festival for Best Actor in a Lead Role for it.
