Nigeria has maintained a steady rise in football after climbing to 60th in the latest FIFA Rankings.
Photo: The Nigerian Super Eagles were 2013 champions
In the latest ranking released by the world football body on Thursday, Nigeria moved up four spots in the rankings from 64 to 60.
The three-times African champions are now tied with Morocco at 60th position with 570 points.
Their 2018 World Cup qualifying opponents – Algeria and Cameroon – failed to progress in the rankings retaining their previous spots.
According to the ranking, Nigeria’s Super Eagles are also ranked 11th in Africa.
Recently, Nigeria garnered a 1-0 victory at home against Tanzania in September in an inconsequential Gabon 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
The win was followed by a 2-1 victory over Zambia in their opening Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers in Ndola on October 9.
African champions Ivory Coast are first on the continent followed by Senegal.
Algeria, who the Eagles will host in Uyo in next month’s second Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier, remain 35th in the world.
They played a 1-1 draw with Cameroon in their first World Cup qualifier at home. The Algerians also remain third in Africa.
The Cameroonians also retained their 59th position, which they held in September, to remain in the top 10 teams on the continent.
Zambia however dropped two places from 92nd to 94th in the latest ranking.
Ivory Coast moved up three places to be ranked 31st in the world while Senegal climbed seven spots from 39th to 32nd in the world.
Tunisia, who are fourth in Africa, went up four places from 42nd to 38th while Ghana dropped two places from 43rd to 45th. Egypt, DR Congo, Congo and Mali complete the top nine teams in Africa.
Argentina maintained their stranglehold on number one position while Germany replaced Belgium as the second best team in the world.
Brazil are now third while the Belgians have dropped to the fourth position on the ranking table.
Colombia, Chile, France, Portugal, Uruguay and Spain complete the top 10 in the world.
See the list below:
Rank Team Total Points
1 Argentina 1646
2 Germany 1347
3 Brazil 1323
4 Belgium 1369
5 Colombia 1323
6 Chile 1284
7 France 1188
8 Portugal 1228
9 Uruguay 1173
10 Spain 1141
11 Wales 1161
12 England 1130
13 Italy 1124
14 Switzerland 1020
15 Poland 984
16 Croatia 1059
17 Mexico 1057
18 Costa Rica 943
19 Ecuador 917
20 Netherlands 861
——
51 Japan 574
52 Slovenia 502
53 Russia 685
54 Saudi Arabia588
55 Congo 585
56 Montenegro326
57 Scotland 652
58 Mali 580
59 Cameroon 565
60 Nigeria 534
60 Morocco 570
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