Nigeria rise in latest FIFA rankings

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have moved three places up in the latest FIFA Rankings released on Thursday by the world football governing body.

The Eagles who moved up six places up in last month’s rankings to claim the 70th spot following wins over Mali and Luxembourg are now placed 67th in the world as stability reigns in the top 20 position.

A quiet month of international football has resulted in a largely static FIFA/Coca Cola World Ranking, with no movement whatsoever in the top 20.

Just two international matches, both friendlies, have been played since the July Ranking, meaning that the changes that have taken place are generally minor. The devaluation of older games has been a factor in many of those, and it has benefited the likes of Costa Rica (21, up 6), Japan (49, up 8), Korea DPR (99, up 18) and Mauritania (104, up 15). The same process has not smiled on Cuba, though, who dropped 30 places to 151st position.

The result of this, after the significant changes that arose last month from the various continental championships, is that Argentina remain top, followed closely by Belgium, Colombia, Germany and Chile.

On the African scene, Ghana is ranked 35th ahead of 36th placed Côte d’Ivoire.