"3rd in Africa, 28th Globally": FIFA Gives Nigeria New Football Rank After Reaching AFCON Finals

"3rd in Africa, 28th Globally": FIFA Gives Nigeria New Football Rank After Reaching AFCON Finals

  • Despite losing the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals, Nigeria still ranks higher in global football as compared to Ivory Coast
  • According to a new ranking released by FIFA, Nigeria moved 14 places to be in 28th position globally
  • Nigeria was ranked the 3rd best team in Africa behind Morrocco and Senegal, with Ivory Coast being ranked 5th

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are now ranked as the 3rd best team in Africa after the just concluded AFCON.

According to the new ranking released February 15 by the Federation of International Football (FIFA), Nigeria is currently ranked 28th in the world table.

New FIFA ranking.
Nigeria is ranked 28th in the world and 3rd in Africa. Photo credit: Getty Images/Visionhaus and X/67kelechi.
Source: UGC

In Africa, Morocco was still ranked as the best team, with Senegal coming second and Nigeria placed in the 3rd position.

Read also

Accra 2023 African Games: Nigeria leads regional standings, ranking emerges

Ivory Coast, the country that won the AFCON, was ranked 5th in Africa behind Morocco, Senegal, Nigeria, and Egypt.

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Nigeria jumps 14 places in FIFA ranking

Nigeria ranking 28th in the world football table means the country jumped 14 places as it was previously ranked 42nd before the AFCON.

According to the new FIFA ranking, Nigeria scored 1522.26 points, as against its previously held 1474.44 points.

On the other hand, Ivory Coast moved 10 places to be ranked 39th in the world.

Argentina, France, England, Belgium and Brazil were named the top five teams in the overall ranking.

Soar Super Eagles posted about the new ranking and attracted many reactions.

See the post below:

Reactions to new FIFA ranking

@dray4lyf_

"This is the way to go. Higher! Higher!! Even tho I’m still pained we didn’t win AFCON, I am still proud of the team. No one gave them a chance before the competition."

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@kristinalbert91 commented:

"Congratulations. Can they start building towards 2025 AFCON?"

@emini_truth31 said:

"Best I’ve seen in recent years. Let’s go!"

@shedrachTobi said:

"The best national team in the world."

President rewards Nwabali, others

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the Super Eagles' number one goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, was back in Nigeria and was spotted in Aso Rock.

Nwabali looked elegant in his native attire amid his teammates during a reception at Nigeria's seat of power.

This came after Nwabali's impressive outing at the just-concluded Africa Cup of Nations.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
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Israel Usulor (Human-Interest editor) Israel Usulor is a journalist who has 9 years of experience. He worked at The Prime Newspaper and has published articles in TheCable Newspaper. Israel graduated with distinction from Fidei Polytechnic (Mass Commun, 2016). Israel has interviewed Zannah Mustapha, the man who helped negotiate the release of Chibok Girls, and Kunle Adeyanju, who rode a bike from London to Lagos. He covered exclusive stories on Chef Dami during her Guinness World Records cookathon. Email: israel.usulor@corp.legit.ng.