In what will come as a surprise to many, despite putting up a fine performance by going through the World Cup qualifiers unbeaten and easing past perennial rivals Argentina, the Super Eagles dropped 9 places in the latest FIFA ranking released Thursday to become 50th in the world and 8th in Africa.
Nigerians would have expected to have a better ranking as against the 41st the team got the last time it was released but that was not the case.
Countries like Congo DR, Burkina Faso, and even Cameroon that have not looked anything like African Champions since their Continental triumph still rank above Nigeria.
Although the ranking will have no impact on the World Cup group stage draw billed for December 1st, countries will use this for bragging rights and see this as a moral booster heading into their next international assignment.
According to the ranking, the top 5 teams in Africa are; Senegal, Tunisia, Egypt, Congo DR, Morrocco, which makes Nigeria the only qualified team not in the top 5 of Africa.
The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on 21 December 2017.
Below is a list of the 10 best teams in Africa and world according to the release
TOP 10 teams in Africa
Senegal
Tunisia
Egypt
Congo DR
Morrocco
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Nigeria
Ghana
Côte d’Ivoire
TOP 10 teams in the world
Germany
Brazil
Portugal
Argentina
Belgium
Spain
Poland
Switzerland
France
Chile