Super Eagles rise four places in FIFA ranking despite early AFCON 2021 ouster
Nigeria now third in Africa after overtaking Algeria, Tunisia
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have risen to 32nd in the world in the latest FIFA rankings released on February 10th 2022 following their performance at the just-concluded Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
The team won three and lost one of their four matches in Cameroon, culminating in a Round of 16 exit from the 2021 AFCON. It was the first time an indigenous coach led the side to any tournament since 2014 when Stephen Keshi was in charge of the side at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
The Super Eagles recorded wins over eventual finalists Egypt, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau before losing to Tunisia in the Round of 16.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have now risen from 36th place in the world to 32nd, and from fifth in the African continent to third. The Super Eagles leapfrogged 2019 AFCON champions Algeria and the Tunisia side that conquered them in the tournament.
Algeria have now dropped to seventh and Tunisia to fifth after their performances in Cameroon. Finalists Egypt have also risen to fourth from sixth after their heroics in Cameroon. Senegal and Morocco have retained the top two spots in the continent.
