Nigeria’s Super Eagles moved up four places in the latest FIFA men’s world ranking released on Friday, Afrosport reports.
The three-time African champions climbed into 41st from 45th in the world following back-to-back victories during October’s international window. Nigeria defeated Lesotho 2-1 in Polokwane before thrashing Benin Republic 4-0 in Uyo in their final World Cup qualifying fixtures.
The Super Eagles also moved into fifth in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ranking, with an 11-point increase from the previous list released on 18 September.
Meanwhile, Morocco (12th, down 1), Senegal (18th), Egypt (32nd, up three), and Algeria (35th, up three) retained their spots as Africa’s top-four teams.
Despite Cote d’Ivoire moving up two places into 42nd, they dropped into sixth on the continent, while Tunisia, who had an excellent World Cup qualifying campaign, climbed into 43rd after moving three steps.
Mali (53rd, up three) are now seventh, while Cameroon (54th, down two) and South Africa (59th, down four) occupt the other two spots in Africa’s top 10. Niger enjoyed the biggest leap of any team in the world ranking, climbing nine places into 108th.
However, Spain remained top of the global ranking, with Argentina leapfrogging France into second, while England and Portugal retain their spots in the top five.
The Netherlands (6th) overtook Brazil (now 7th). Belgium remained eighth; Italy moved one spot into ninth, and Germany returned into the top 10 after climbing up two spots.
