The Super Eagles of Nigeria have experienced another significant drop in the latest FIFA World Rankings, released on Thursday, June 20, 2024, MySportDab rReports.
The new rankings saw Nigeria fall from 30th to 38th globally and maintain their position as the fifth-ranked team in Africa.
This decline comes after a string of disappointing performances in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Despite hosting South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, the Super Eagles could only manage a 1-1 draw.
The situation worsened with a 2-1 defeat to Benin Republic, known as the Cheetahs, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. These results have put Nigeria in a precarious position in their qualifying group.
The Super Eagles’ current ranking places them behind several African football powerhouses. Morocco leads the continent’s rankings, sitting at 12th globally, followed by Senegal (18th), Egypt (36th), and the AFCON champions, Côte d’Ivoire (37th). In contrast, South Africa, Nigeria’s recent opponents, remain stable at 59th in the world. Benin Republic, under the guidance of Gernot Rohr, has moved up to 91st.
In the context of the World Cup qualifiers, Nigeria’s performance has been lackluster. With four matches played, the three-time African champions find themselves languishing in fifth place in their group with just three points.
This standing raises concerns as they prepare to resume their qualification campaign in March 2025, where they will face Rwanda and Zimbabwe. In the latest rankings, Rwanda is positioned at 131st, while Zimbabwe is slightly better off at 129th.
Globally, the top three positions remain unchanged. Argentina retains its number one spot, followed closely by France and Belgium.
However, there has been some reshuffling just behind them. Brazil has climbed one spot to 4th, pushing England down to 5th. Portugal, the Netherlands, and Spain solidify their positions in 6th, 7th, and 8th places, respectively. Croatia has moved up to 9th, overtaking Italy, which now occupies the 10th spot.
The Super Eagles’ drop in the rankings highlights the challenges they face and underscores the importance of their upcoming matches.
A return to form is crucial not only for their World Cup aspirations but also to regain their stature on the African continent and the global stage.
Fans and the team’s management will be looking for a significant turnaround in the forthcoming fixtures to halt this downward trend and reestablish the Super Eagles as a formidable force in international football.
