The Super Eagles remain ahead of their African rivals in the latest FIFA ranking despite their defeat to the Benin Republic.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles dropped eight places in the latest FIFA ranking released by the world football governing body on June 20, 2024.
Super Eagles drop eight places in latest FIFA Ranking
The Super Eagles were ranked 30th in the April ranking but dropped to 38th in the latest ranking released on Thursday.
09:41 - 04.04.2024
FIFA Ranking: Nigeria ahead of Ghana, Haaland's Norway as Super Eagles get new position
The Super Eagles are now 33 spots ahead of their West African rivals in the latest FIFA ranking after defeating them 2-1 in last month’s international friendly.
It is the second consecutive time the three-time African champions will drop in the ranking, having dropped two places in the April ranking.
Nigeria’s drop should not come as a surprise after they put up two disappointing performances in the last international window.
The Super Eagles played a 1-1 draw against South Africa in their World Cup qualifying match at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo before suffering an embarrassing 2-1 defeat to Benin a few days later.
Those two defeats left the Super Eagles’ hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in the United States of America (USA), Canada and Mexico in real jeopardy.
Nigeria fifth in Africa ahead of South Africa, Cameroon and Ghana
However, despite dropping eight places in the rankings, the managerless Super Eagles remain fifth in Africa, behind Morocco (12th in the world), Senegal (18th in the world), Egypt (36th in the world) and Cote d’Ivoire (37th in the world).
13:08 - 11.06.2024
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Nigeria are comfortably ahead of their main rival in their qualifying group, South Africa. The Bafana Bafana are 59th in the world ranking and tenth on the African continent.
The Super Eagles are also well ahead of Cameroon and Ghana in the latest ranking, with the Indomitable Lions sitting in 49th position in the world ranking, while the Black Stars are 64th.
Nigeria are also ahead of nations like Scotland, Chile and Erling Haaland’s Norway.
Overall, Argentina remain the number one ranked team ahead of France, Belgium, Brazil and England in the top five.