Goal scorer Moses Simon (right) celebrates with teammates Kelechi Iheanacho and Taiwo Awoniyi during the Nigeria/Sudan match, Saturday
Nigeria 36th in world, 5th best in Africa, as FIFA releases May rankings
Consequent upon losing two international friendly matches in May, Nigeria’s Super Eagles dropped by 14.19 points, placing 36th in world football, as the sport’s global governing body, FIFA, released its latest ranking for May 2022, Thursday.
Despite losing to Mexico and Ecuador in their international friendlies played in the United States, Nigeria’s Super Eagles amassed 1,478.18 points after dropping from 1,492.37 points, representing a -14.19 lose. However, the point lose is expected to be redeemed following two wins recorded against Sao Tome and Principe and Sierra Leone in the 2023 African Cup of Nations qualifying rounds played in June, which will reflect in the August ranking, later in the year.
In the ranking released by FIFA, Thursday afternoon, the Super Eagles also placed fifth best in Africa, behind Senegal, Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria.
For African teams in the world ranking, Senegal placed first on 20th position; Tunisia 27th; Morocco 29th and Algeria 30th, with Nigeria rounding off the top five on the 36th spot.
On the overall global ranking, Belgium retained their 1st spot, with Brazil, 2nd and Argentina 3rd.
Nigeria lost 14.19 points in the course of the total 280 international fixtures which took place during the period of ranking collation by FIFA, which included the country’s losses in two friendly matches against Mexico and Ecuador played in the United States, last month.
Between the final qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the UEFA and Concacaf Nations Leagues fixtures, the qualifiers for continental championships in Asia and Africa, and a host of friendly matches, there was no shortage of international football since the last edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola Ranking in March.
According to FIFA, of the 211 countries listed in the global standings, 177 experienced movement.
Three months after taking top spot in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Ranking from Belgium (2nd, -), Brazil (1st, -) have widened the gap on their nearest pursuer. Argentina (3rd, plus 1) take the last of the podium places at the expense of France (4th, minus 1), who have paid the price for four games without a win in the UEFA Nations League.
Making progress among the Top 10 are Spain (6th, plus 1), the Netherlands (8th, plus 2) and Denmark (10th, plus 1), while Italy (7th, minus 1) and Portugal (9th, minus 1) head in the opposite direction. For their part, Mexico (12th, minus 3) drop out of the Top 10 completely.
With a surge of 11 places, Kazakhstan (114th, plus 11) made the most progress in this edition. Cuba (167th, plus 10), Greece (48th, plus 7), and Malaysia (147th, plus7) also made notable gains. Kosovo (106th, plus 1) and Comoros (126th, plus 2) continue their ascents to once again achieve all-time Ranking highs.
The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published, August 25, 2022.
