Nations Cup success allows Eagles to climb 14 places in Fifa rankings to 28th position

NIGERIA'S Super Eagles have moved up 14 places in the Fifa rankings to 28th place globally following the team's successful African Cup of Nations outing that saw them get to the final of the tournament.

Last Sunday, the Eagles lost 1-2 to hosts Ivory Coast in the final of the African Cup of Nations, putting paid to their hopes of lifting the trophy for a fourth time. However, due to the good run in the tournament that included wins over Ivory Coast in the group stage and victories over Guinea-Bissau, Cameroon, Angola and South Africa, the team has climbed to 28th in the world and third place in Africa.

During the tournament, the Eagles scored eight goals and conceded four, keeping four clean sheets in the process. Despite their loss in the final, their display saw them emerge as the most improved African team in the Fifa rankings table.

Previously ranked 42, Nigeria is now 28 globally and number three on the continent, just behind Morocco and Senegal who occupy 12th and 17th places respectively. Ivory Coast, moved up 10 places globally and are fifth in Africa occupying 39th place in the world, just behind Egypt who occupy 36th position.

Bronze medallists, South Africa moved from 66th to 58th in the rankings, while Asian Cup winners, Qatar, move up 21 places to 37th place. At the summit, the top 10 remain unchanged, with 2022 World Cup winners Argentina, occupying the top spot, closely followed by 2018 champions France.

England, Belgium, Brazil, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Croatia make up the list of the top 10 ranked nations in the world. Once upon a time, Nigeria used to be a top 10 team too, rising to as high as fifth in 1996 after wining Olympic football gold.