Posted by Nurudeen Obalola on
Nigeria's Super Eagles have dropped four places on FIFA's monthly rankings to concede top spot in Africa to their fierce rivals, Cameroun.
Nigeria's Super Eagles have dropped four places on FIFA's monthly rankings to concede top spot in Africa to their fierce rivals, Cameroun.
The Eagles have been the top ranked team in Africa since the turn of the year but the draw with Rwanda in Kigali on June 5 must have dragged them down as they lost six points when the ranking for June was released by FIFA on Wednesday.
Nigeria now stand 29th in the world and third in Africa with 665 points, three places below Cameroun and one below Egypt who are now second in Africa.
Cameroun have 670 points, four more than their May total, while Egypt have 668, after gaining eight points. The two countries grabbed victories in their World Cup qualifiers as Nigeria struggled to a draw against Rwanda. Egypt defeated Sudan 6-1 in Cairo on June 5, a day after Cameroun defeated Benin Republic 4-1 in Cotonou in group 3 games.
Morocco are fourth in Africa and 33rd in the world after gaining two places and 17 points, while Senegal are fifth on the continent and 37th in the world with 639 points.
Angola, who play the Eagles in Kano in a key Germany 2006 qualifier on Saturday, also moved up one place on the world rankings and gained six points after beating Algeria 2-1 on June 5. The Palanca Negras are 13th in Africa.
The Punch, Thursday June 16, 2005