Nigeria jumps 22 spots to No. 30 on FIFA ranking

By Osagie Alonge

Nigeria has jumped 22 spots up on the FIFA rankings following the country’s recent win at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

The Super Eagles who didn’t lose a match throughout the tournament, defeating Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final game on Sunday, February 10, 2013 rose from 55th position to 30th position.

This is Nigeria’s best position on the table in the last three years. It also took the country 19 years to reclaim the coveted AFCON title.

Ivory Coast who were knocked out by Nigeria in the quarterfinal remains Africa’s highest-ranked side in 12th position with Ghana in 19th.

No African country made the top ten list.

The top three positions were not altered with Spain leading, followed by Germany and Argentina in second and third place respectively. England followed in fourth position after defeating Brazil who are shockingly ranked 18th.