SOCCER: Nigeria’s Super Eagles Rise In Latest FIFA Ranking

 

Less than 5 weeks before the 2014 FIFA World Cup kicks-off in South American nation of Brazil, the Super Eagles of Nigeria have been boosted ahead of their camping as they have now moved one place in the latest FIFA world ranking.

The Nigerian team, coach by Stephen Keshi  who were ranked 45th in March ranking, are now ranked 44th in the FIFA ranking for the month of April released from the world governing body’s headquarters in Zurich Switzerland some hours ago.

Despite polling a total of 631 points on the current log, Nigeria’s position however remained unchanged in Africa, as they are still ranked in sixth position behind Cape Verde who are ranked fifth on the continent.

The top four positions in Africa remained unchanged with: Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Algeria and Ghana are the top ranked teams on the continent respectively.

Hosts of the world cup, Brazil, moved up two places as they are now the fourth best team in the world, while Honduras moved two places to now rank 30th.

With a series of friendly games lined up for the Super Eagles before the World Cup holding from 12 June to 13 July, football analysts believe Nigeria could continue its rise on the table if they post good outings in the friendly matches before the next ranking comes out.

Nigeria play Scotland at Fulham’s Craven Cottage Stadium in England on 28th of May.

Below is a part of the ranking log:

Rnk	Team	Pts	+/- Pos
	1	Spain	1460	0
	2	Germany	1340	0
	3	Portugal	1245	0
	4	Brazil	1210	2
	5	Colombia	1186	-1
	6	Uruguay	1181	-1
	7	Argentina	1178	-1
	8	Switzerland	1161	0
	9	Italy	1115	0
	10	Greece	1082	0
	11	England	1043	0
	12	Belgium	1039	0
	13	Chile	1037	1
	14	USA	1015	-1
	15	Netherlands	967	0
	16	France	935	0
	17	Ukraine	913	0
	18	Russia	903	0
	19	Mexico	877	0
	20	Croatia	871	0
	21	Côte d’Ivoire	830	0
	22	Scotland	825	0
	23	Denmark	819	0
	24	Egypt	798	0
	25	Bosnia and Herzegovina	795	0
	25	Sweden	795	0
	25	Algeria	795	0
	28	Ecuador	794	0
	29	Slovenia	787	0
	30	Serbia	759	0
	30	Honduras	759	2	32  Romania 756 -1     33  Armenia 750 0     34  Costa Rica 748 0     35  Panama 739 0     36  Czech Republic 731 0     37  Iran 715 0     38  Ghana 713 0     39  Turkey 711 0     40  Austria 673 0     41  Venezuela 666 0     42  Peru 665 1     42  Cape Verde Islands 665 0     44  Nigeria 631 1     45  Hungary 623 -1     46  Slovakia 616 0     47  Japan 613 0     47  Wales 613 0     49  Tunisia 597 0     50  Cameroon 583 0     51  Guinea 580 0     52  Finland 578 0     53  Uzbekistan 577 0     54  Montenegro 555 0     55  Korea Republic 551 1     55  Norway 551 1     55  Paraguay 551 -1     58  Iceland 546 0     59  Mali 545 0     59  Australia 545 0     61  Burkina Faso 528 0