Teenage forward Annabelle Chukwu already turning heads with Canada and Notre Dame
The young forward has a Canadian record 39 goals in 42 international youth-level appearances, surpassing the previous Canadian youth record of 27 goals (set by former Canada captain Christine Sinclair) in September at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia.
Sinclair scored her 27 goals in 19 youth international matches from the U-19 to U-21 levels from 2001 to 2002.
On Friday, Chukwu made her senior debut off the bench in the 64th minute of Canada's 4-1 win over Costa Rica at Toronto's BMO Field and quickly made her presence felt.
In the 74th minute, she rose above a Costa Rican defender at the far post to head a Jade Rose cross into the path of Vancouver Rise forward Holly Ward, who roofed a right-footed shot for a 2-1 lead.
Canada coach Casey Stoney calls Chukwu 'incredibly technically gifted' and a striker who is 'unplayable at times.'
'Talent like that is quite rare,' she added.
The current call-up is her third from the senior side.
'Every single time, I never know what to expect but I'm just grateful for the opportunity and grateful to learn, develop and grow. Be surrounded by players that I look up to,' said the soft-spoken Chukwu.
Stoney likes what she sees.
'Annabelle's been great. She's a very exciting young player,' said the former England captain. 'She's definitely like a rare talent and I think has just got a real special quality. If you're a fan, you'd pay to come and watch her play.'
Canada defender Jade Rose, a Harvard grad who just signed with England's Manchester City, says Chukwu is a handful.
'She is an incredibly skilful player,' said Rose. 'She is one of those players that surprisingly speeds up when they have the ball at their feet. She can hit some crazy stepovers.
'She is honestly an up-and-coming talent and I'm so grateful to have her in this environment. Not only to challenge me but I'm happy that she's on our team and not anyone else's.'
Chukwu, whose twin sister Isabelle has also represented Canada at the under-15 and under-17 level, has been a force at youth level.
On June 6, she led Canada to the CONCACAF Women's Under-20 Championship in Costa Rica, scoring the winning goal in the 122nd minute in a 3-2 win over Mexico after extra time.
Chukwu beat two defenders at the byline and then, from an almost impossible angle, roofed the winner as the clock counted down in stoppage time. It was the fifth goal of the tournament for Chukwu, who plays collegiate soccer at Notre Dame.
Chukwu, who turned 18 in February, is quick to deflect praise on the U-20 triumph.
'Credit to the team. I think we stuck together throughout the whole tournament. We learned, we grew from Game 1 to the end. It was a team effort,' she said.'
Chukwu was named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference third team and ACC All-Freshman team in 2024 with Notre Dame despite missing six games due to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia.
She scored three goals and added two assists in 16 appearances for the Irish, including 12 starts.
'I love the school. I love the coaches, the team, the playing style,' she said. 'I think I've really been able to grow as a player and develop my game there. I'm excited for Year 2
Born in England, Chukwu was nine when her family moved to Ottawa for work. Both parents are of Nigerian origin, although her mother was born in England.
Winnipeg Jets Game Days
On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop.
As such, she also has British and Nigerian citizenship. She talked briefly with English soccer officials but says playing for Canada 'just felt right,' given that's where she started playing the game at age 10.
Eight years on, she is trying to stay in the moment when it comes to soccer.
'I'm really not someone who looks too far ahead, but I'd love to play professionally. I'll see where the game takes me … I'm pretty happy being at school, but I'm not sure what the future holds. I'm open.'
—-
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 30, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Toronto Star
4 hours ago
- Toronto Star
Calgary bantamweight Jake (The One) Peacock returns to action in November in Tokyo
Canadian bantamweight Jake (The One) Peacock, is shown in this handout photo, in his Muay Thai bout against Japan's Shinji Suzuki at 'One 171: Qatar' in the One Championship promotion, on Feb. 20, 2025. Peacock was born without a right hand. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - One Championship (Mandatory Credit) SDV flag wire: true flag sponsored: false article_type: : sWebsitePrimaryPublication : publications/toronto_star bHasMigratedAvatar : false :
Winnipeg Free Press
14 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘It's nice to get it done'
Todd Fanning left the door open momentarily, then promptly slammed it shut. Leading by two strokes in the final round of the Golf Manitoba Hodson Financial senior men's championship with two holes to play, Fanning dumped his approach shot into the water on the 17th hole at Glendale Golf and Country Club. Rather than compound the rare mistake by showing any frustration, Fanning calmly identified the point of entry, dropped his ball and made a precise chip to about 18 feet. With playing partner and nearest competitor, Dan Scanlon, waiting to try and roll in a short putt for birdie, Fanning avoided a two-shot swing by confidently draining his par saver. 'That was the one,' said Fanning, who carded an even-par 72 to finish the event at 2-under 214 to earn a four-shot victory over Scanlon. 'He's looking at a four-footer for birdie — and he had gone birdie and par on the last two holes and I was in trouble. For that one to go in, it probably took the air out of his balloon — even though he made a birdie. A two-shot lead is a lot different than one.' BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS Todd Fanning added the Manitoba men's senior title to his long list of golf accomplishments. BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS Todd Fanning added the Manitoba men's senior title to his long list of golf accomplishments. There was an element of grinding to Fanning's game, as he needed 20 putts on the front nine for an even-par 36, but his trademark feel on the greens improved at the turn. 'I was a bit jittery, but on the 10th hole I made a 15-foot putt and after that, I settled down,' said Fanning. 'It's nice not to shoot over par in any of my rounds. Today was by far the best I hit the ball. 'The last three holes kind of got away from me, but it's hard not to peak at the finish line before you get there. You hear the guys on tour say it — and it's true. It's hard to win a golf tournament.' With the victory, Manitoba's most-decorated golfer added a new trophy to his lengthy list of accomplishments. Not only did Fanning capture his first Manitoba senior title, this victory allowed him to complete a career grand slam: with championships in the Manitoba junior (1984, 1985), the Manitoba men's amateur (1984, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 2014) and the Manitoba men's mid-amateur (2017, 2021). 'As I turned 55, I started thinking about the grand slam and it's nice to finish it off. Now I've won them all.'–Todd Fanning Fanning is the first Manitoban to achieve the feat. 'As I turned 55, I started thinking about the grand slam and it's nice to finish it off. Now I've won them all,' said Fanning. 'I had a couple of seconds (in the Manitoba senior in 2023 and 2025). The third time's the charm, I guess. 'I've played against these guys for most of my career and it's nice to get it done against your peers.' and the former touring pro is already looking ahead to his next goal — as Niakawa Country Club is hosting the Canadian senior men's amateur championship next summer. After winning the Canadian junior championship in 1985 and 1986, Fanning delivered Canadian mid-amateur and mid-masters championships in 2017. So yes, working his way into the winner's circle with another national crown is on Fanning's wish list. 'You're at your home course, in your home province and I want my game to be tidy for next year,' said Fanning, who played professionally between 1993 and 2003 and regained his amateur status in 2008. 'That will be my best shot. I've played twice (in the Canadian senior) and I've played well, with a 12th and a ninth. But I really feel like next year, if I have my game in order — with the local knowledge, that will be the one that I'm shooting towards.' Ken Warwick of Niakawa won the super senior championship by shooting 73 in the final round to give him a three-round total of 224, which was enough for a two-stroke victory over Mike Walker of St. Boniface. BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS Rhonda Orr won her 12th Manitoba women's seniors title. BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS Rhonda Orr won her 12th Manitoba women's seniors title. On the women's side, Rhonda Orr of Southwood shot a final round of 4-over 76 to capture her 10th consecutive Manitoba women's senior championship by 20 strokes over Cathy Derawianchuk of Glendale, with Shannon Taweel of Elmhurst finishing third. It's the 12th Manitoba senior women's title for Orr, who also won the super senior championship. 'I felt a little bit of pressure. Going for 10 in a row has been a goal and the course was playing pretty tough,' said Orr. 'It seems kind of surreal when I take the time to look back (at the 12 provincial championships). When you look at how many it's been and all of the different courses and all of the different people that you've played (with). 'It's kind of weird, actually. But I feel like my game is okay. I can still compete and I hope to keep it going.' When it comes to the old adage that winning never gets old, Orr confirmed it's actually the case. 'One hundred per cent,' she said. 'Every time you go out, you want to do your best. It just feels good to take a trophy home.' Orr entered the day with a sizable lead, but didn't alter her mindset. 'I'm generally going to play a conservative strategy, but with a confident swing. That's how you want to play,' said Orr, who only started golf regularly when she was around 40 years old after a lengthy career as a softball player. 'Pick a nice target and make sure that you make a nice confident swing towards it. Try not to do anything stupid. There are definitely a few holes out here where you can take a (big) number. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'My wedge game was great today and I drove the ball pretty well.' Orr also weighed in on the size of the field of just 12 players (11 after one player withdrew after the first round) on the women's side, urging players from around the province to heed the call to compete in the event next season and beyond. 'I played with a couple of people that haven't played in the senior before and it's nice to have some new people coming out and learning to enjoy competitive golf,' said Orr. 'What I would say to them is, 'Don't be worried about shooting a bad score or a bad score on a hole. You have to put yourself out there, to prove to yourself that you can do it. And it doesn't really matter what other people think or what other people say.' 'There's no golf like tournament golf. It's different and it can be stressful, but we've got to learn to just manage through it. There are a ton of really great golfers who don't quite want to put themselves out there, but it's OK (to put yourself out there).' The Canadian senior women's championship is scheduled for Naninamo Golf Club in B.C. from Aug. 26 to 28, while the Canadian men's senior championship is set for Sept. 8 to 12 at KenWo Golf Club in Nova Scotia. X and Bluesky: @WiebesWorld Ken WiebeReporter Ken Wiebe is a sports reporter for the Free Press, with an emphasis on the Winnipeg Jets. He has covered hockey and provided analysis in this market since 2000 for the Winnipeg Sun, The Athletic, and TSN. Ken was a summer intern at the Free Press in 1999 and returned to the Free Press in a full-time capacity in September of 2023. Read more about Ken. Every piece of reporting Ken produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
16 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime advances to Cincinnati Open quarterfinals
CINCINNATI – Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime is through to the Cincinnati Open quarterfinals after a fourth-round win over Benjamin Bonzi of France. Auger-Aliassime rode his powerful serve to a 6-4, 6-3 victory on Wednesday, firing nine aces across the one-hour, 14-minute match. The 25-year-old from Montreal won all three available break points and 89 per cent of his first-serve points. Auger-Aliassime will face the top-seeded Jannik Sinner of Italy in the quarterfinals of the hard court tournament. Sinner is coming off a 6-4, 7-6(4) win over French qualifier Adrian Mannarino in the round of 16. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Auger-Aliassime is the lone Canadian singles player still in the tournament, though Canadian doubles specialist Gabriela Dabrowski and her partner, New Zealand's Erin Routliffe, are set to play American Caty McNally and Linda Noskova of Czechia in third-round action on Thursday. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 13, 2025.
