Super Eagles rise four places to 31 in latest Fifa rankings thanks to Benin and Lesotho wins

NIGERIA'S Super Eagles have climbed up four places in the latest Fifa rankings rising to 31 on the global table thanks to back-to-back victories over Benin Republic and Lesotho in the 2021 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

During the course of November, Nigeria beat Benin Republic 2-1 in Uyo and clinched all three points in Maseru when the Eagles devoured the Crocodiles 4-2.  As a result Nigeria now has 1,493 points as against the 1,481 points the Eagles had in October, which pushed the team up the global rankings, although it still remains third in Africa.

Within the Confederation of African Football (Caf), Nigeria remains behind Senegal and Tunisia who are placed 20th and 27th with 1,555 and 1,506 points respectively. Things are unlikely to change until at least March next year when international matches will resume, with the main change expected when teams are involved in both World Cup and African nations Cup qualifiers.

Globally, the top five remains unchanged and there is only one change in the top 10, with Croatia rising by one place to sixth, climbing for the second successive rankings at the expense of Portugal who drop a place to seventh. Other significant changes include Italy rising by two places to 13th, Poland, also climbing by two places to 19th and Serbia rising by four places to 29th.

Despite a recent pick-up in form, Nigeria is labouring to reach the dizzy heights she reached in 2006 when the Eagles were ranked ninth in the world. In 1994, when Nigeria first burst on to the global scene, the Eagles were ranked 12th in the world but have struggled to hold on to this kind of positioning.