FIFA rankings: Nigeria now 7th in Africa

Pius Ayinor

Nigeria moved up one spot from 51st to 50th position in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking published on FIFA’s official website on Thursday, Extrasportsnigeria.com reports.

It was also an upward move for the Super Eagles in Africa as they moved up from the eighth to seventh position. Eagles 2018 World Cup opponents, Cameroon, also improved in the rankings as they moved up three places from 65th they stood in December to 62nd.

Another Russia 2018 group rivals, Algeria dropped one spot from 38th to 39th, while Zambia maintained their 88th position.

The Senegalese are maintained their 33rd spot in world rankings and number one in Africa. The second position did not change also as Africa Cup of Nations defending champions Ivory Coast are still 34th and are the second best team in Africa.

The other African countries are competing in the African Nations Cup kicking off on Saturday which will likely see them gaining more points ahead of absentee Eagles of Nigeria. The next rankings will be released in February just as Gabon 2017 rounds off.

At the world level Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Chile and Belgium, all maintained their number first, second, third, fourth and fifth positions respectively.