Super Eagles poor run in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying race has resulted in the slipping of Nigeria four places on the current FIFA Rankings for the month of September released yesterday. Nigeria is ranked sixth in Africa and 37th in the global standings.
Eagles were Africa’s third best and 33rd globally in the August rankings.
While all the other countries in the African Top Ten gained more points through victories in the AFCON 2015 qualifying race, the cumulative points amassed by the floundering African champions for September stood at 642.
The 3-2 home loss to Congo in Calabar and a tepid draw with South Africa a fortnight ago in Cape Town, largely contributed to the slide in the grading of the Super Eagles.
The Desert Foxes of Algeria maintained their strong grip on the leadership of the African rankings, amassing 926 points to remain in the Number 1. position for the second consecutive month. They are the only African team in the Top 20 of the world ranking, occupying the 20th place.
Cote d’ Ivoire, Tunisia, Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria, Cape Verde, Cameroun, Guinea and Burkina Faso completed the African Top Ten in descending order respectively.
2014 FIFA World Cup finalists Germany and Argentina slightly extended their lead over the chasing pack and remain unchallenged at the top of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking. They are followed in third position by Colombia, who swapped places with the Netherlands.
The Oranje gang paid dearly for their 2-1 defeat at the hands of Czech Republic in their opening qualifying match for UEFA EURO 2016.
For their part, Colombia equalled their highest-ever position, Los Cafeteros having previously achieved third in July and August 2013.
In the top ten, meanwhile, Brazil (6th, up 1) and France (9th, up 1) have gained ground, while Uruguay (7th, down 1), Spain (8th, down 1) and Switzerland (10th, down 1) have each dropped a place.
According to FIFA, of the 141 international “A” matches taken into account for this month’s ranking, over half of them (80) were continental qualifiers in Europe, Africa and CONCACAF while the rest 61 fixtures were friendlies. This takes the total number of international “A” matches played in 2014 so far to 526.
AFRICA’S TOP TEN
1. Algeria
2. Cote d’ Ivoire
3. Tunisia
4. Ghana
5. Senegal
6. Nigeria
7. Cape Verde
8. Cameroun
9. Guinea
10. B’ Faso
