Following the final round of qualifiers for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations, the continent’s 10 highest-ranked nations have now been revealed by FIFA.
On Wednesday, FIFA revealed the latest world ranking following the March international break, revealing that Senegal have retained their status as the highest-ranked nation from the African continent.
Scroll through the gallery above to see Africa’s 10 highest-ranked nations
The Lions of Teranga, who were the first side to qualify for AFCON 2021, have dropped two places to 22nd in the latest standings but are still Africa’s best-placed country, four spots ahead of Tunisia.
Nigeria have climbed four places in the latest ranking and now occupy 32nd place overall, meaning the Super Eagles have overtaken reigning African champions Algeria as the continent’s third strongest side, albeit by the narrowest of margins.
The North African giants rank just one place behind Nigeria, while neighbours Morocco trail by a further position following last month’s continental qualifiers.
Egypt are next in line in 46th position, three places ahead of Ghana, while AFCON hosts Cameroon have dropped five places to 55th and are now trailed closely by continental giants Mali and Ivory Coast.
Meanwhile, South Africa are only ranked 15th on the continent and 75th overall after dropping five spots following Bafana Bafana’s failure to qualify for next year’s showpiece tournament.
Associated News
Nigeria’s latest position in Fifa World Rankings revealed
The three-time African kings moved four places up in the latest rankings released by the world football governing body
Gernot Rohr’s Super Eagles are now rated as the 32nd best football playing nation in the world.
The 2013 African champions climbed four places in April’s rankings released by the Federation of International Football Association on Thursday.
In the month under review, Nigeria garnered 1487 points to become the third-best team on the continent after overtaking Algeria and Morocco.
This leap is not far fetched from the country’s impressive results during last month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin Republic and Lesotho.
Paul Onuachu’s last-gasp header helped Rohr’s team silence the Squirrels at the Stade Charles de Gaulle, Porto-Novo. Three days later, they defeated Thabo Senong’s Crocodiles at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
Despite dropping two places, Senegal are ranked first in Africa and 22nd in the world with 1542 points, while Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles – who are unmoved – remained 26th globally and second in Africa after accruing 1512 points.
Guinea Bissau are the biggest mover in April – moving a massive eleven places to the 108th position in the world, while Nambia are ranked 111th with a 10-place move.
For Africa Cup of Nations debutants Comoros, losing 4-0 to Mohamed Salah’s Egypt on the last day of their Afcon qualification drop a place in the ratings – to be ranked no. 36 in Africa and 131st worldwide.https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.449.2_en.html#goog_760558888This video will start in0:08Article continues below
The order of the top six has not changed, with Belgium leading the pack while France, Brazil, England, Portugal and Spain follow in that order.
European side Armenia (90, +9) are the most improved side in terms of points thanks to a gain of 40.28 points, while African side Malawi (115, +8), Cape Verde (73, +7), and Ethiopia (140, +6), also made significant progress.
The next Fifa/Coca-Cola world ranking will be published on 27 May 2021.
