By Peter Olorunnisomo
Latest FIFA world football rankings have revealed the positions of footballing countries in Africa and these have not necessarily reflected the accolades they have won in the African continent. Though FIFA’s criteria have always reflected the number of matches played and the categorisation of tournaments and oppositions may also count on the points based system. The movers benefitted from older results dropping in value in the four-year cycle of matches used for the calculations.
African reigning champions, the Super Eagles of Nigeria went down in the grading system four more places to 41st this month. They had already moved down a spot in the December standings.
They however kept their spot in the top 10 ranking in Africa despite dropping from fourth to seventh place in the CAF table.
Though the Eagles are currently campaigning in the African Nations Championship (CHAN), they suffered a shock defeat in their opening match only to defeat Mozambique to keep their hopes alive in a tournament recently upgraded to a level-A competition by FIFA.
A good showing at the CHAN could influence the reigning AFCON champions’ position in the February rankings, as all results at the tournament count.
No changes however occurred in the world’s top 25, with Spain still comfortable at number one and Cote D’voire topping the African table.
Egypt had the biggest upward move of the African sides in the first FIFA rankings climbing 10 places to the 31st position in the world.
It means they are rated the fourth best team in Africa, usurping the continent’s champions Nigeria, who slipped to seventh.
Burkina Faso was the team to make way, dropping to 11th in the African list.
Elsewhere there was little movement as only eighteen friendlies were played since December’s rankings. However, next month’s ranking could shake up the order of the African sides as FIFA will include results from the African Nations Championship – a tournament for locally based players which is held in South Africa from 11 January to 1 February.
On the other hand, South Africa rose eight places to the 54th spot in the world, a move which saw them break into the African top 10.
World champions Spain have begun 2014 as they ended 2013 – by leading the FIFA world ranking. Vicente del Bosque’s men continue to lead the ranking but the lack of played fixtures recently has meant there is little change across the board though they were among the biggest movers
Spain are aiming to win consecutive World Cups this year and remain top of the pile in the first ranking release of 2014.
There were also small gains made by a number of other nations, with South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Belize, Oman and Mali all rising by at least five places.
South Africa coach Gordon Igesund reminded the country that Bafana Bafana need to progress in Chan, in order to gain a better 2015 Afcon qualification draw. Igesund’s aim is to get into the top eight teams in Africa. Bafana drew 1-1 against Mali, needing to avoid defeat against Nigeria to progress. Their victory over Mozambique improved their ranking for the current Fifa list, but the rest of the tournament should reflect in February’s ranking.
Gabon and Jordan suffered the biggest fall in terms of points, losing 32 each, while the former had the biggest slump in the ranking as Stephane Bounguendza’s men dropped eight places to 85th.
