Super Eagles climb four places in latest ranking to occupy 41th spot ahead of World Cup draw

NIGERIA'S Super Eagles have climbed four places in the latest Fifa rankings climbing to 41st position and fifth in Africa in what was the last table published before the 2018 World Cup draw.

Thanks to ease with which Nigeria qualified for Russia 2018 and impressive wins over Zambia, Cameroon and Algeria, the Eagles have improved from their September ranking of 44th. Tunisia, who look certain to qualify for the World Cup too, are now the highest ranked African side sitting 28th in the table.

Tunisia's Carthage Eagles last occupied first place in January 2002, having risen to the top six months earlier. With just one World Cup qualifier remaining, Tunisia are on the verge of qualifying for Russia 2018 after defeating and drawing with the Democratic Republic of Congo and trouncing Guinea.

In Group A, Tunisia lead DR Congo by three points and need one point from a home fixture against Libya on November 11 to be sure of finishing first. Egypt, who booked a World Cup place by beating Congo Brazzaville last weekend, dropped one place to second while Morocco climbed three slots to seventh.

Africa's top 10

[1] Tunisia (world ranking 28)

[2] Egypt (30)

[3] Senegal (32)

[4] Democratic Republic of Congo (35)

[5] Nigeria (41)

[6] Cameroon (42)

[7] Morocco (48)

[8] Ghana (52)

[9] Burkina Faso (55)

[10] Ivory Coast (61)