Super Eagles rise three places in latest Fifa rankings due to good Nations Cup qualifier results

NIGERIA'S Super Eagles have risen up three places in the latest Fifa rankings to 36th in the world and fourth on Africa thanks to the team's recent victories over the Republic of Benin and Libya in Nations Cup qualifiers.

Prior to the release of today's list, the Eagles were 39th globally and sixth in Africa but thanks to two recent victories in the 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifiers, the team, has seen its stock rise. Earlier this month, the Eagles beat Libya 1-0 in Uyo and last month, they beat Benin Republic 3-0 at the same venue and managed to play a 0-0 draw in Kigali away to Rwanda.

In Africa, the Eagles now trail only Morocco (13th globally), Senegal (20th) and Egypt (30th). This rise sees Nigeria climb above the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations winners Ivory Coast and Tunisia, who both drop out of the continent’s top five.

This is due to the fact that earlier this month, the team managed to grab all three points against Libya in a match at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo thanks to a last gasp winner from Lazio midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. Had the Eagles beat the Libyans away a few days later, they might have even climbed higher but that match was called off after the Libyans left the team stranded at an airport for 13 hours.

Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) technical director Augustine Eguavoen has been managing the team as an interim coach after attempts to sign German coach Bruno Labbadia broke down over contractual issues. NFF officials are still trying to engage the services of a full time coach ahead of the African Cup of Nations next year.