Background:

Mikel Obi, a Nigerian-born professional football mid-fielder, began his career with Plateau United in Nigeria before spells with Ajax Cape town in South Africa and Norwegian side Lyn Oslo. He fast became one of the most sought-after young players in Europe and in 2005 Manchester United beat a host of interested parties to his signature. But Mikel had other ideas, and despite appearing at a press conference in a United shirt, the midfielder claimed he had been pressured into the move and wanted to move to Chelsea instead. A legal dispute ensued but eventually the Chelsea deal was done, costing the Blues £16 million in a complex judgment which involved money being paid to both United and Lyn.

For Nigeria, he was touted as a future superstar after a series of scintillating displays in the 2005 Under-20 World Youth Championships earned him the Silver Ball for second best player in the tournament, behind Lionel Messi. He played for the Super Eagles in the 2006, 2008 and 2010 African Nations Cup, and played seven games of the qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup.

Source: ESPN

African footballer’s greats Marcel Desailly, Kalusha Bwalya, Jay Jay Okocha and Rigobert Song were just messing around between takes and then this happened…

Highlights

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Video Highlight

Photo Credit: Golden Icons

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Watch the video below

Barwin Recounts Nigeria Journey: MyFoxHOUSTON.com

Barwin is currently on the rebound from a horrific ankle injury in game 1 of last season that ended his season. He said he is almost 100 percent and will be ready for training camp, whenever that is because of the lockout.
During the trip to Nigeria, Barwin visited schools, medical clinics, and helped with clinics for kids and for coaches in an effort to expand the knowledge of football to the people of Nigeria where the sport is in its infancy.
It was an eye-opening experience for Connor.

Credit: MyFoxHouston

Houston Texans – Connor Barwin with Nigerian policemen

NFL Star Amobi Okoye

Video Highlight

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BEHIND THE TRAVEL SCENES TO NAIJA

Apparently Shaquille O’Neal(notes) snores. We probably could have guessed that. But who knew that snoring would be a danger to the big man’s health?

Anyone who’s ever been hit (or, as they call it, “lightly nudged”) by their better half in the middle of the night knows that snoring can be pretty frustrating for the person who isn’t the actual snorer. And anyone who’s ever done the hitting (I don’t “lightly nudge,” dangit, because I’ve got sleep to catch on) can tell you that it is about as high on the annoyance list as annoyances get.

But most tend to get over it, as their pretty little bird tweets away deep into dreamland. That said, not everyone has to share chambers with Shaquille O’Neal, all 7-1 and 300-pound whatever of him. If your better half sounds like a hummingbird, then this guy has to come off like a full blown diesel semi-engine.

That’s why his girlfriend, TV’s (they tell me) Nikki “Hoopz” Alexander, asked him to take part in a sleep apnea study sponsored by Harvard University. Because, jokes aside, it must be more than a little scary when those snores briefly turn into outright silence, which apparently has happened to Shaq a few times recently.

Watch

Provided he’s in a good mood, and isn’t being petty, is Shaq ever not funny?

The consequences of sleep apnea, as described by the litany of doctors early in this video, is pretty frightening. So if the little bird next to you sounds like he or she is suffering from the same condition, get them hooked up to a “poly-what?” (as Shaq puts it) as soon as you can.

Sweet dreams, Shaquille.

Source: Yahoo Sports.

Enjoy the behind the scenes coverage of the Trip starting from New York below.

What does C.A.T.E stand for? C.A.T.E (Changing Africa Through Education) is a global education initiative that offers academic and athletic scholarships to support achievement and excellence among youth in developing nations.

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What does C.A.T.E stand for? C.A.T.E (Changing Africa Through Education) is a global education initiative that offers academic and athletic scholarships to support achievement and excellence among youth in developing nations.

Below is a CNN coverage in Nigeria during this C.A.T.E mission.

Amobi in Nigeria, talking to the Press

James Ihedigbo of New York Jets with Nigeria kids.

Houston Texans – Connor Barwin with Nigerian policemen

Amobi Okoye’s Dad in a meeting.

Amobi’s Older brother ‘Arinze Okoye’ with Nigerian policemen

NFL Star Amobi Okoye

Event Highlight

The Gala was a success and a well attended event with many special guests, including Mayor of Katy, Don Elder; Katy Chief of Police, William Hastings; and Houston City Council Members Wanda Adams, Jarvis Johnson, and Jolanda Jones. There were also a few NFL stars in attendance, including James Ihedigbo of the New York Jets, Russell Okung of the Seattle Seahawks, DeMeco Ryans of Houston Texans, and Amobi Okoye himself.

Highlights of the event included special performances by Kuumba House and Otu Umu Oma Cultural Dance Group as well as a fabulous fashion show by KACHI Designs, Callie Duty, and Atolle’ Fashions.

Photo by Bode Ojo of Golden Icons

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Photo by Bode Ojo

GI Media Host: Emma Emerson

Videography:Efosa of Navio Productions