Nigeria and South Africa have both dropped in the latest FIFA world rankings released on Thursday, while Cape Verde are Africa’s big climbers.
The Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana enjoyed diverse fortunes during the recent World Cup qualifiers, but both continental heavyweights dropped during the latest update to the world rankings.
South Africa – beaten home and away by Cape Verde – drop to 80th in the latest rankings, which represents their lowest standing since 2013 during Gorden Igesund’s tenure.
Bafana have also dropped to 18th in Africa.
Conversely, Cape Verde’s standing have been boosted by their 2-1 and 2-0 triumphs, as they climb to 14th in the continent and 67th overall. No nation in the world has climbed more than the islanders during the last month, with the Sharks climbing up 264 points and 47 places overall.
Nigeria boosted their hopes of a spot in Russia after thumping Cameroon 4-0 at home before drawing 1-1 in Yaounde, but those four points couldn’t help them avoid slipping to fifth in the continent.
The Super Eagles have also dropped six places to 44th in the world, with their upcoming World Cup qualifying opponents – Zambia – 78th in the world and 16th in Africa.
Egypt remain Africa’s top team, ahead of Tunisia, Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo in second, third and fourth respectively, despite falling five places globally.
The DRC were hard hit by their World Cup qualifying defeat away in Tunisia and their home draw against the Eagles of Carthage as they drop 14 places overall. The Super Eagles have moved ahead of Cameroon, into sixth, with Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Morocco completing the top 10.
At the top of the world rankings, Germany climbed above Brazil into top spot, with the Selecao followed by Portugal, Argentina and Belgium.
Africa’s top ten, overall ranking in brackets
1. Egypt (30)
2. Tunisia (31)
3. Senegal (33)
4. DR Congo (42)
5. Nigeria (44)
6. Cameroon (45)
7. Burkina Faso (49)
8. Ghana (52)
9. Ivory Coast (54)
10. Morocco (56)
