Society Gists

Nigeria’s Super Eagles are now ranked third in Africa after moving up four places to 42 in the latest FIFA ranking released on Thursday.

The three-time African champions earned wins against Seychelles and Egypt in the last international window, which pushed them up the ranking.

Senegal’s national team, the Teranga Lions, are Africa’s top team while second-place Tunisia, Morocco (fourth) and the DR Congo (fifth), complete the top five slots for Africa. Along with Ghana, they were the only African teams to make the top 50.

The biggest mover in March was Tanzania (131st, up 6) – coached by Nigerian Emmanuel Amuneke – having booked their place at the Africa Cup of Nations after 39 years in the doldrums.

With 150 games played across the globe during the international period, things remained tight at the top of the ranking, as the top three remained unchanged.

This sees Belgium (1st, unchanged) maintain a slender lead – growing it marginally to three points – over 2018 World Cup winners France (2nd, unchanged). Brazil (3rd, unchanged), however, are looking over their shoulders somewhat as England (4th, up 1) leapfrogged World Cup finalists Croatia (5th, down 1).

Uruguay (6th, up 1) are the only other movers within the top 10, whereas a dramatic win for Germany (13th, up 3) saw them overtake defeated opponents The Netherlands (16th, down 2), as well as Sweden (14th, unchanged) and Chile (15th, down 2).

Israel (84th, up 8) enjoyed the biggest jump of all, followed closely by Guatemala (143rd, up 6) and Tanzania.