2026 SheBelieves Cup: Canada invites two Nigerian players to camp 

By Harry Awurumibe,  Editor-in-Chief

Two players with Nigerian heritage, Chinonyerem Annabelle Chukwu and Simisola Feyishayo Awujo will be on parade on Sunday when Canada’s senior women’s football team tackle Colombia in the opening match of 2026 SheBelieves Cup in Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America (USA).

Canada is one of the four countries participating in the yearly invitational football tournament, which will take place in the United States from March 1 to 7, 2026.

Host, United States Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT); Colombia, and Argentina’s women’s football teams will compete in the one week football fiesta.

Chukwu and Awujo, who have been listed in the 25-team roaster of Canada in the 2026 SheBelieves Cup in USA, are expected to help their adopted country win the competition

Chukwu, who plays as a forward for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish women’s soccer academy in the USA, was  born in England before moving to Canada by Nigerian parents while Awujo, who plays as a midfielder for English Women’s Super League club Manchester United was born in the United States and was also a former United States under-17 international before representing Canada at the senior international level.

This year marks the 11th edition of the invitational tournament, featuring four nations who face each other in a round-robin format in a bid to be crowned champions.

Hosts USA is the most successful side in the competition’s history, with seven titles since the inaugural version.

Goalkeepers: Kailen Sheridan (North Carolina Courage), Emily Burns (Nantes), Melissa Dagenais (Ottawa Rapid)

Defenders: Jade Rose (Manchester City), Vanessa Gilles (Bayern Munich), Sydney Collins (Bay FC), Marie Levasseur (Montpellier), Gabrielle Carle (Washington Spirit), Brooklyn Courtnall (Bay FC)

Midfielders: Julia Grosso (Chicago Stars), Simi Awujo (Manchester United), Jessie Fleming (Portland Thorns), Emma Regan (Denver Summit), Marie-Yasmine Alidou (Portland Thorns), Kaylee Hunter (AFC Toronto)

Forwards: Jordyn Huitema (Seattle Reign), Evelyne Viens (Roma), Nichelle Prince (Boston Legacy), Janine Sonis (Denver Summit), Holly Ward (Vancouver Rise), Delaney Pridham (Ottawa Rapid), Olivia Smith (Arsenal), Annabelle Chukwu (Notre Dame), Cloé Lacasse (Utah Royals).