Super Falcons move up in FIFA rankings, remain number one in Africa

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have retained the top spot in Africa after moving up three places in the latest FIFA rankings of Women’s international teams.

The Nigerian side have struggled in recent months, winning only once in their last eight matches dating back to their 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations quarterfinal against Cameroon.

They have only defeated Costa Rica in the 2023 Women’s Revelations Cup, having previously lost six consecutive matches, including earlier Revelations Cup matches, international friendlies, and the semi-final and final of the 2022 AFWCON.

Despite their recent dismal performance, the Super Falcons moved up three spots in the FIFA rankings, from 45th to 42nd, in March.

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After coming fourth in the most recent Africa Women’s Cup of Nations, Nigeria remains the world’s highest-ranked African country.

They are now ranked 42nd, ahead of South Africa (54th), the reigning African champions, Morocco (73rd), the runners-up at the 2022 AFWCON, and Zambia (77th), who finished third.

Ghana, who did not participate in the competition at all, was regarded as the fourth-best team in Africa and the 59th-best team in the world, while Cameroon, which was eliminated in the AFWCON quarterfinals, was ranked third in Africa and 56th in the world.