9th May, 2013
Nigeria has moved up three places in the new FIFA ranking released early today at the football governing body headquarter in Zurich, Switzerland.
In the latest ranking, the Super Eagles, who were ranked 31st in April, now occupying the 28th spot in the world, moving three places ahead of Norway, Japan and the USA.
The leap meant the three-time African champions are now back among the top five African football playing nations as the coach Stephen Keshi-led Eagles are now placed fourth in Africa behind Mali, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire.
The Ivorians are ranked 12th in the latest FIFA ranking to maintain their position as the highest ranked African nation in the world.
Former African Cup of Nations, AFCON, champions, Zambia moved one spot down to occupy 47th and 7th in the world and Africa respectively.
However, there are no changes in the top 10 ranked teams in the world as Spain remain the best footballing nation in the world followed by Germany, Argentina, Croatia and Portugal in the top five. Switzerland slipped into the14th position ahead of Mexico who moved down into the 16th position.
—Bamidele Olowosagba