THE Super Falcons of Nigeria have dropped in the latest FIFA women’s ranking while South Africa, their opponents for the Paris 2024 Olympics ticket, have climbed up the ladder.
The nine-time African champions slipped two places from 34th, their position in the last ranking in December, to 36th today.
The Super Falcons also dropped 11 ranking points, going from 1627 to 1616.
South Africa, on their part, rose one spot from 52nd in the world to 51st, despite dropping two ranking points (1498 in December to 1495.9 now).
The Super Falcons are however still the top ranked team in Africa, followed by South Africa, Morocco (58th in the world), Ghana (64th in the world) and Zambia (65th in the world).
World champions Spain and runners-up England take up the top two positions globally, with France, United States of America and Germany completing the top five.
According to FIFA, Mexico (31st, up four places) and Slovenia (41st, up three) are the highest climbers in the top 50, though the biggest moves of all are further down the table.
Zambia (65th, up five), Puerto Rico (85th, up 18) and Kosovo (91st, up nine) have each hit all-time highs, while Solomon Islands (88th, up 21) make the biggest jump of all, following wins over American Samoa, Fiji and Samoa.
In the process, Zambia, Puerto Rico, Kosovo and Solomon Islands have all achieved their highest ever points totals, as have Spain, El Salvador, Nepal, Lebanon, Tanzania and Saudi Arabia.
