Nigeria move up in FIFA ranking
Maikaba credits performance to good facilities in Akwa Ibom
Nigeria have moved up to the 41st position in the world and retained the fifth in Africa in the latest FIFA CocaCola world rankings released yesterday.
The rankings released by the World Football governing body showed that Nigeria moved up three places from the 44th position in September, but maintained the fifth spot in Africa.
It said that Nigeria had 721 points compared to the 696 in September.
The report said that Tunisia became the new number in Africa and 28th in the world with 834 points while the former number on the continent, Egypt came second and 30th in the world with 818 points.
Senegal is number three in Africa and 32 in the world with 815 points while DR Congo is fourth on the continent and 35th in the world with 751 points.
African champions, Cameroon is sixth in the continent and 42nd in the world with 718 points.
In the top 10 ranked countries, Germany retained the number one position in the world with 1631 points while Brazil is second with 1619 points.
Portugal is third, Argentina fourth, Belgium fifth, Poland sixth and France seventh.
Mr Osita Okeke, chairman Nigeria football supporters club, South Africa chapter, told the News Agency of Nigeria that Nigeria’s improvement is as result of the Super Eagles qualification for the Russia 2018 World Cup.
“From the matches against Cameroon and then Zambia, the Eagles played well and deserve improvement in the latest rankings.
“I believe that the team will continue to do well, especially in the World Cup,” he said. The head coach of Akwa United FC, Mr Abdul Maikaba has attributed the feat achieved by the club in winning the Aiteo Cup due to enabling environment and working conditions for players and coaches in Akwa Ibom state.
Maikaba, who joined the Promise Keepers last season alluded that Akwa Ibom is state that supports sports.
“I don’t think it is a gamble leaving my former club, because I know the environment I mow work.
“I think Akwa Ibom state is state that support sports men in Nigeria. We have the best facilities on ground, it helps in teaching and coaching. I believe it will not take me long in Akwa Ibom to build a team that can win laurels. In one year, I was able to finish fourth in the league and also win a trophy. It is great achievement. I am very happy with what I achieve in Akwa Ibom,” he said.
The Promise Keepers’ tactician, who blamed the failure of past Nigerian clubs to impress in the competition on too many changes in the winning team, assured they will make the country proud in the CAF Confederation Cup competition next year.
Maikaba also said that new players will be recruited to fortify the squad for task playing the continent.
“We have to go back to our drawing board, know the problems our sister clubs in Nigeria so that we will repeat the same mistakes.
“The mistake most Nigeria clubs are making in the continental is after winning the trophy or qualifying to represent Nigeria, they tend to change about eight percent of the team that qualified them.
“So the issue of continuity is not there and this game is about team play. We will make some changes but not too much, we will fortify the team so that we continue with our culture,” he said.