JULY 5, 2013
Super Eagles players celebrating
Super Eagles performance at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil has not helped their profile before the international football governing body as Nigeria dropped four places in the July edition of the monthly FIFA rankings released on Thursday. Nigeria beat Tahiti 6-1 and then fell to Uruguay and Spain 2-1 and 3-0 respectively.
The Africa champions, who last month occupied the 31st spot in the world, have now dropped to 35th position. Conversely, Brazil who won the trophy have surged to the ninth spot to rebound from their all-time historic low standing. The five-time World Cup winners and 2014 hosts had fallen to 22nd before a five-match victory streak earned them the Confederations Cup.
But despite the slide for Nigeria, the Eagles, however, remain unmoved in the African ranking as they remain fourth on the continent behind the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire, the Black Stars of Ghana, and the Eagles of Mali.
Experts calculate that Brazil could struggle to keep its ranking because it does not need to qualify for the World Cup as host and its next competitive match will be at the tournament itself next June. Most high-ranked teams will play at least four more qualifying matches, which count more than exhibition games in FIFA’s calculations.
World and European champion, Spain, top the rankings despite their 3-0 drubbing by Brazil in the Confederations Cup final last Sunday.
Italy, third-placed team at the Confederations Cup, climb to Number 6 while Uruguay rise seven places to Number 12 after finishing fourth in the eight-team tournament.
Germany follows Spain, and Colombia rises four places to their highest-ever position of No. 3.
Argentina, who drew 0-0 with Colombia in a World Cup qualifying match, and the Netherlands are fourth and fifth. Portugal and Croatia fall to seventh and eighth, respectively.
Japan, who also played at the Confederations Cup, lead Asia at Number 37.
Tahiti were punished for their three heavy losses at the Confederations Cup by dropping 16 places to Number 154.
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