The Super Eagles of Nigeria have dropped four places to 37th on the latest FIFA world ranking released on Thursday morning, with Germany maintaining top spot and Algeria remaining Africa’s highest ranked nation.
Nigeria lost ground on the ranking following a poor start to the 2015 Cup of Africa Nations this month, falling to a shock 3-2 loss against Congo in Calabar before playing out a goalless draw with South Africa in Cape Town.
Congo on their part went up 30 places to occupy 48th spot, the highest position ever attained by the southern African nation on the ranking, courtesy of a perfect start in Nations Cup qualifying.
As a result, Nigeria is now the sixth highest ranked African nation as Senegal, Tunisia and Ghana gained 23, 11 and three places respectively to go past Nigeria on the world rankings.
Senegal holds a perfect record after two matches in AFCON 2015 qualifying and was rewarded with a jump from 49th to 36th place in the latest ranking, while Ghana is 33rd and Tunisia 31st.
Algeria meanwhile broke into the world top 20 after gaining four places to hold 20th spot, followed by Cote D’Ivoire that went up three places to occupy 22nd on the world ranking.
The world’s top 10 is led by world champions Germany, followed South American duo Argentina and Colombia while Netherlands dropped a place to now occupy ahead of neighbours Belgium.
The rest of the top 10 has 2014 World Cup hosts Brazil up one place to sixth,Uruguay and Spain going down a place each to occupy seventh and eighth respectively while France and Switzerland complete the top 10.
Guatemala gained the most places on the rankings, moving up 77 spots to occupy 57th position while Togi lost the most places on the ranking after falling 38 spots.