FIFA Rankings: Super Eagles Moved Up 14 Places to 28th Globally, 3rd in Africa

• Nigeria has risen 14 places in the latest FIFA rankings for February
• The Super Eagles are ranked as the 28th-best team in the world
• Nigeria finished with a silver medal at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have risen in the latest FIFA rankings, jumping from 42nd to 28th position in the February rankings released by the global football body.

This latest achievement by the team is courtesy of their impressive performance at the just concluded 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria finished with a silver medal.

In seven games, the Super Eagles won five matches, drew one and lost the final 2-1 to hosts Ivory Coast, with Sebastien Haller netting the winning goal for the Elephants.

Nigeria’s impressive AFCON outing has now seen the team jump to third on the African rankings, rising three spots above their previous position before the start of the competition, FIFA.com reports.

Best African Football team: Which is the best African squad for the upcoming World Cup and why?

Football

The Super Eagles are just ranked behind Morocco and Senegal on the continent, who are ranked 12th and 17th globally, while Egypt and 2023 AFCON winners Ivory Coast complete the top five in Africa.

Top 10 FIFA Rankings Africa

1. Morocco – 12th
2. Senegal – 17th
3. Nigeria – 28th
4. Egypt – 36th
5. Ivory Coast – 39th
6. Tunisia – 41st
7. Algeria – 43rd
8. Mali – 47th
9. Cameroon – 51st
10. South Africa – 59th

Top 10 FIFA World Rankings

1. Argentina
2. France
3. England
4. Belgium
5. Brazil
6. Netherlands
7. Portugal
8. Spain
9. Italy
10. Croatia

No break for Super Eagles

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh says that there will not be any holiday for the Super Eagles players as they prepare for the World Cup qualifiers in June, Vanguard reports.

The Super Eagles have a double-header against Bafana Bafana when the World Cup qualifiers resume in June and must get at least four points from both matches to keep their hopes of qualifying intact.

African Cup of Nations 2023 schedule, groups, hosts, teams, where to watch, tickets

Football

Nigeria started their World Cup qualifying campaign with back-to-back 1-1 draws against Lesotho and DR Congo as they have just two points from their opening two matches so far.

NFF advised to sack Pesiero

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Idah Peterside has advocated for the dismissal of Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro, despite his acclaimed success at the 2023 African Cup of Nations.

The 63-year-old coach led Nigeria to their first AFCON final in more than a decade, but the Super Eagles were defeated 2-1 by hosts Ivory Coast.