My dad would’ve made a great singer – Amal Fashanu

Weekly Trust: How would you describe your father, away from his fame?Amal Fashanu: We’re quite like each other. Most times, when we are by ourselves he is very funny and relaxed. The thing with my father is that he doesn’t really try to portray a different persona publicly. In public, he is just like he […]

Weekly Trust: How would you describe your father, away from his fame?
Amal Fashanu: We’re quite like each other. Most times, when we are by ourselves he is very funny and relaxed. The thing with my father is that he doesn’t really try to portray a different persona publicly. In public, he is just like he is at home: funny and down-to-earth. He is wise and knows a lot. In my case, he advises me about relationships or my weight.
WT: Speaking about relationships, what advice has he given you that you hold dear till today?
Fashanu: A quote that I always remember is ‘slowly, slowly to catch a monkey’. When he says that, he basically means one should take time to nurture everything. Also, to preserve it when finally attained. This is one thing that has played in my career, as well, because I have always thought about it. It hasn’t been easy playing the footballer’s daughter. I decided to do documentaries, go to the university and do new things that I couldn’t have done differently.
WT: Growing up, what parenting technique of your dad’s still sticks with you?
Fashanu: When I was naughty, my dad would punish me by making me stick out my hands so he would lightly hit them.  Whenever that happens, I would be scared so I would hide my hands behind to avoid the spanking. That was one thing I used to be scared of.
WT: How has being daughter of a famous footballer influenced you?
Fashanu: I think he has always been a shadow over me. Obviously, I’m a girl and when he and his brothers are all playing football, it’s hard on me because I grew up with footballers, making it a male world for me.  I didn’t really like football in that way. I enjoyed watching it but it is not really part of my life in that way, so it was hard for me being recognized as the daughter of a footballer even when I am trying so hard to work elsewhere.
WT: Other than football, what other sport does your dad like?
Fashanu: He loves golf and tennis a lot. I’ve also played polo with him sometimes.
WT: If he wasn’t a footballer, what other career do you think he would have excelled in?
Fashanu: He would have been a singer. That’s because he loves to sing, dance and perform. A lot of times in the United Kingdom, he has done a lot of celebrity shows where he sings.
WT: What is his favourite food?
Fashanu: I would say chicken stew. But now that he is in Nigeria, pounded yam and Amala.
WT: How sociable is he?
Fashanu:  Extremely so. The house is like a hotel, with people coming in and out, as he has a lot of friends. He’s versatile, so he gets along with people from different backgrounds.
WT: If he had to re-live a day in his life, which do you think it would be?
Fashanu: I am tempted to say my birth, but deep down within me I think the FA Cup would be a time he would love to relive.
WT: What instantly puts a smile on his face?
Fashanu: He smiles all the time. But if you ask me what I would do that would instantly put a smile on his face, I would say if I came to live in Nigeria or if I get married to a Nigerian.
WT: Are you looking forward to getting married to a Nigerian?
Fashanu: Who knows? You never can tell.
WT: What do you miss most from your childhood?
Fashanu: Probably going to McDonalds, the cinema and church on Sundays. We did a lot of horse-riding together. Now that I’m grown up, we talk a lot, some of which you could categorize as gossip (laughter). But for us, it’s just talk and updating ourselves .
WT: Which traits of his would you say you’ve inherited?
Fashanu: My ability to communicate. I think that is the main thing we both do conveniently.
WT: What is his philosophy about life?
Fashanu: Work hard, have fun, always have faith in God and believe in what you do and yourself. Simple.
WT: When was the most difficult moment in his life?
Fashanu: I think the death of his mother. She died from breast cancer. He handled it like he handled everything, not really showing people what was going on. He just put on a brave face, a smile and continued. But deep down, he was shattered.
WT: What kinds of books does he read and what TV shows does he like?
Fashanu: He reads about faith in God, the Bible, newspapers, current affairs and politics. He watches documentaries, news and football of course.
WT: What misconception about your dad would you like to set straight?
Fashanu: A lot of people have the misconception of him being a hard man. But my dad is a kind, generous person who loves and gives. If anyone got a chance to know him one-on-one, they would see he is the coolest person on earth.