FIFA rankings: Eagles move up

Super Eagles of Nigeria reached their highest position for the first time in seven years in the latest FIFA rankings, but they stay as the third-best team in Africa and 29th in the world.

The Super Eagles moved up two places to in the FIFA rankings despite not playing a game for almost a year.
Gernot Rohr’s men haven’t played since last November when they beat Lesotho 4-2 in a 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier in Maseru.

However, their lack of action did not affect their global rankings as the Super Eagles who were ranked 31st the last time have moved up to 29th place.

It is the first time since May 2013, Nigeria are ranked within the top 30. But the three-time African champions are still below Senegal and Tunisia, who are ranked first and second on the continent respectively.

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The Super Eagles’ next opponents, the Elephants of the Ivory Coast rise one place to sit in 60th position and are ranked 12th in Africa.

Nigeria’s three rivals in the 2021 AFCON qualifiers in the shape of Benin, Sierra Leone and Lesotho sit in the 84th, 119th and 139th positions respectively, while World Cup qualifiers foes Cape Verde, Central African Republic and Liberia sit 78th, 110th and 152nd respectively.

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Meanwhile, Belgium remain the number one ranked country in the world. The Red Devils are ahead of France, Brazil, England and Portugal, who make up the top five.