FIFA Ranking: Eagles fail to move up log, remain 3rd in Africa
Nigeria’s Super Eagles did not make any move in the monthly Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) rankings released by the world football governing body on Thursday, February 20.
The three-time African champions remain rooted on the 31st spot in the world and third in Africa.
Senegal’s Teranga Lions retained their spot as the best playing nation in the continent and 20th in the world, but are closely trailed by Tunisia’s Cathage Eagles, who are placed 27th.
Algeria’s Desert Foxes occupy the 35th position in the world.
Interestinly, Morocco’s Atlas Lions, despite not dropping a spot are 43rd on the og to complete Africa’s top five playing nations.
Meanwhile, Belgium stay top as Palestine make gains after very few matches have been played on the international front in the first World Ranking of 2020.
At the last count, only 15 friendlies have taken place since the last ranking update in December – including two games in late 2019 – so it is little surprise that the top 20 remains unchanged with Belgium, France and Brazil still making up the top three.
Some minor movement in the top 50 sees both Wales (23rd, down 1) and Paraguay (41st, down 1) fall a spot, while Ghana’s Black Stars (46th, up 1) rise ever so slightly.
NEW #FIFARANKING
🇧🇪🔝 @BelRedDevils still at the summit
🇵🇸📈 Palestine the biggest climbers— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) February 20, 2020
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Palestine (103rd, up 3) are the first big climbers of 2020.
Their success in January’s Bangabandhu Cup sees them leapfrog Estonia, Trinidad and Tobago, Mozambique and Kenya on the back of the month’s biggest move by points and rank.
Beaten Bangabandhu Cup finalists Burundi (149th, up 2), who like Palestine contested four matches in January, have climbed into the top 150.
Elsewhere, both Aruba (200th, up 1) and Pakistan (200th, up 1) have edged up the ranking after a rather quiet month in international football.