Nigeria climb to 34 in FIFA rankings

Nigeria has climbed 10 spots to 34th position in the latest world rankings, released by FIFA yesterday.

The Super Eagles, who reached the round of 16 at the just concluded FIFA World Cup in Brazil where they lost 2-0 to France, are ranked third in Africa, behind Algeria and Côte d’Ivoire.

Egypt I in the fourth place while Ghana who were knocked out of the World Cup in the first round occupy number five while Tunisia, Guinea, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Mali are in te sixth, seventh, eight, ninth and tenth place respectively.

On the global scene, Germany has gone top of the rankings, the first time in the last 20 years.

The South Americans have moved from fifth place to second following the 1-0 loss against Germany, with Netherlands occupying the final podium spot after their third-place finish at the World Cup.

FIFA 2014 World Cup hosts Brazil slipped four spots to seventh following their fourthplaced showing at the sporting spectacle.

Netherlands, who beat the Samba Boys 3-0 in the third place playoff, jumped 12 places to third.

Spain was at the summit prior to their first-round elimination and is now eighth.

Reigning European champions Spain, meanwhile, have dropped from first to eighth place following their disappointing campaign in Brazil.

USA remains the best-placed CONCACAF team in 15th, just one place ahead of surprise quarter-finalists Costa Rica.