The Super Eagles of Nigeria have soared up the FIFA rankings, climbing 14 spots to secure the 28th position in the global standings for February. This significant advancement was revealed in the latest ranking table published on the website of FIFA on Thursday.
Accumulating 1,522 points, a notable increase from the 1,474 points garnered in December 2023, the Nigerian team’s impressive performance in recent matches has catapulted them up the rankings. This places them as the third-highest-ranked team on the continent, trailing behind Morocco and Senegal, who hold the 12th and 17th positions respectively with 1663 and 1620 points.
Following their triumph in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on home soil, the newly-crowned champions, Cote d’Ivoire, have also experienced a surge in the rankings, climbing 10 spots to claim the 39th position.
Meanwhile, South Africa, who secured the second runners-up position in AFCON, have climbed eight spots to settle at 58th place. Conversely, other African teams such as Egypt (36th), Cameroon (51st), and Ghana (67th) have witnessed a decline in their rankings after their early exits from AFCON 2023.
In the global rankings, teams such as Angola (93rd) have made significant strides, moving up by 24 spots, while Asian Cup winners Qatar (37th) have capitalized on their victory to record the highest tally of points. Qatar’s ascent to 37th place marks a historic achievement for the team, alongside Senegal (17th) and Tajikistan (99th), who have also reached their highest-ever rankings.
Notable improvements have also been observed in teams like Equatorial Guinea (79th), Cabo Verde (65th), Namibia (107th), and Mali (47th), reflecting the dynamic shifts in the global football landscape.
