KweséESPN 2h
Nigeria, Bafana drop
in FIFA rankings, Cape
Verde big climbers
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)

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