Nigeria’s Growing Influence under Rohr Continues, Ranked Fourth in Africa

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Nigeria’s growing influence on African football has continued as the Super Eagles moved up two places to 38th globally in the latest FIFA Ranking released thursday. Eagles amassed 730 points to also climb to the fourth spot in the continent.

The continued growth the country’s football is recording under Franco-German coach, Gernot Rohr, has ensured that Eagles remained unbeaten in the eight matches played under the watch of the former Burkina Faso gaffer. Nigeria has climbed almost 19 places since Rohr began his reign with the three-time African champions.

Interestingly, while the country’s fans are hailing Eagles new found form, Pharaohs of Egypt remain in the driver’s seat of African football. The Egyptians are the best-rated African team globally at the 20th spot.

The Teranga Lions of Senegal are second in Africa but 27th in the world ranking while Nigeria’s foes in the 2018 World Cup pairing, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, are third but 32nd globally.

Closely on the heels of Nigeria is Congo DR in the fifth spot while Tunisia, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Algeria complete Africa’s Top Ten in that order.

Zambia who Nigeria will host later in the year in the 2018 World Cup are ranked 98th in the world, gaining one place and having 334 points, while Algeria are joint 53rd in the world, gaining one spot.

Nigeria’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying opponents in Group E South Africa are 65th in the world with 547 points, having dropped down one spot but gained eight points.

Other Nigeria’s 2019 AFCON foes ranked on Thursday are Libya who dropped two spots to 92nd in the world with 351 points and Seychelles who climbed two places to 194th in the world with 57 points.

Nigeria’s opponents in thursday’s friendly in Paris, the Hawks of Togo are the 106th best side in the world now.

The top ten in the world remained unchanged with Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Chile, Colombia, France, Belgium, Portugal, Switzerland and Spain at the top of the table.

The next FIFA ranking comes out on July 6, 2017.

AFRICA’S TOP 10
Egypt
Senegal
Cameroon
Nigeria
Congo DR
Tunisia
Burkina Faso
Cote d’Ivoire
Ghana
Algeria

Related Articles