Nigeria has leaped four spots to 60th position on the latest FIFA Rankings for the month of October released on Thursday, October 20 by the world football governing body, FIFA.
Nigeria’s latest climb on the football ladder is attributed to the two successes recorded by the Super Eagles against Tanzania and Zambia.
Eagles defeated Tanzania 1-0 in a dead rubber last African Cup of Nations (AFCON 2017) qualifier in Uyo.
Eagles also kick-started their 2018 World Cup qualifier by upstaging hosts Zambia 2-1 in Ndola.
Eagles also kick-started their 2018 World Cup qualifier by upstaging hosts Zambia 2-1 in Ndola.
In the African ranking, Nigeria is listed as 11th, just a place outside the top 10. However, Nigeria’s World Cup rivals Algeria, who they will welcome to Uyo on November 12, stay put in 35th position in the world, but dropped to third in Africa behind Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal. Cameroun, remains at 59th in the global ranking, while Zambia dropped two spots to 94th.
In the global rankings, Germany and Brazil moved into second and third spots respectively. A pair of wins for the current world champions, who saw off Czech Republic and Northern Ireland – just two of the 129 games played worldwide – means they have trimmed Argentina’s lead to just 156 points.
Belgium (4th) slipped out of the top three for the first time since March 2015, with Colombia slipping to fifth (down 1), while defeated UEFA EURO 2016 finalists France have leap-frogged European champions Portugal (8th) into seventh.
Spain return to the top ten, while fellow Europeans Poland (15th), Iceland (21st) and Kosovo (164th) have moved up to their highest-ever placings.
