Super Falcons Drop Two Places in FIFA Women’s Ranking As Banyana Banyana Drop Seven Spots

• Nigeria's Super Falcons are the highest-ranked African women's team ahead of South Africa
• Morocco are the third African team making up the top 60 ranked nations in women's football
• The biggest climbers in the top 100 are Cuba and Philippines who jumped six ranking spots

Positions on the global ladder are a sense of pride but not always a reflection of performance.

Nigeria and South Africa have been the flag bearers for women's football in Africa, as acknowledged at the recent CAF Awards, but have taken a minor step back on the world rankings.

Morocco are growing from strength to strength but they too had a slight drop from the post-Women's World Cup rankings released in August.

However, as per the FIFA rankings from December 9, 2022, Nigeria jumped up 11 spots from 45th to 34th, while South Africa saw an improvement of two positions. Remarkably, Morrocco went from 76th to 60th in the space of a year.

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The Super Falcons' only defeats in 2023 were 1-0 losses to Columbia and Mexico in February and a penalty shootout defeat to England in the Round of 16 at this year's Women's World Cup.

The highs of their year recorded in the previous batch of FIFA rankings, included a 3-0 beating of 30th-ranked New Zealand and draws against 10th-ranked Canada and 24th-ranked Ireland, as well as a 3-2 win over 12th-ranked Australia.

South Africa's 2023 high was a 3-2 win over 14th-ranked Italy, but a 4-3 loss to 156th-ranked Malawi in October and draws against 102nd-ranked DR Congo and 133rd-ranked Burkina Faso would have dented their figures.

As a result, Banyana Banyana dropped seven spots to number 52 in the latest FIFA rankings, a disappointing end to the year for CAF Women's Coach of the Year, Desiree Ellis.

For the continent as a whole, 13 nations are featured in the top 100, a number that remained constant from the same time last year.

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Asisat Oshoala delivers powerful message

Sports Brief recently reported on Asisat Oshoala's message of unity given by the Super Falcons star.

Oshoala was named CAF Women's Player of the Year and gave a moving speech calling for a collective effort.

The 29-year-old said Africa has the potential to win the FIFA Women's World Cup if CAF nations worked together.