Super Eagles Drop in FIFA Ranking, Still Ahead of Ghana, South Africa

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have taken a slight hit in the latest FIFA World Rankings, slipping one place to 44th globally. While it’s not the kind of news fans like to hear, there’s still some comfort Nigeria continues to outrank familiar continental rivals like Ghana and South Africa.

The update, released on Thursday by FIFA, reflects a mixed few months for the Super Eagles, who’ve been adjusting to life under new head coach Eric Chelle.

Despite their recent Unity Cup victory in London, the team’s global standing took a minor dent. But regionally, they remain strong contenders.

Africa’s Top Dogs Still in Sight

Nigeria currently sits fifth on the continent, behind Morocco (12th), Senegal (18th), Egypt (34th), and Algeria (36th). Ivory Coast, who leapfrogged Nigeria earlier this year, have also experienced a dip, now placing just behind the Super Eagles in the African rankings.

The Nigerian team’s drop is seen more as a recalibration than a crisis. Under Chelle, the team is yet to lose a match, an unbeaten run that suggests better days could be ahead.

Ghana and South Africa Still Trail

Despite Nigeria’s slip, the gap between them and some of their biggest football rivals remains wide. Ghana, whose struggles on and off the pitch continue, are ranked 76th in the world, while South Africa sits in 56th place.

For Nigerian fans, staying above these two nations in any metric always carries weight, regardless of what else is happening on the pitch.

Global Movements and Continental Shifts

Elsewhere in the rankings, Africa’s football landscape saw a few shakeups. Senegal’s recent high-profile performances, including a statement win against England, helped them break into the world’s top 20. 

Meanwhile, Zambia made a jump, climbing five places to 83rd, a sign of rising competition within African football.

Internationally, Mexico emerged as one of the biggest movers, climbing to 13th after clinching the Gold Cup. 

The U.S., by contrast, dropped to 15th. Norway, Paraguay, North Macedonia, and Costa Rica also recorded significant gains. Notably, Costa Rica leapt 14 spots to 40th, the largest single-country rise in this update.

What’s Next for Nigeria?

While slipping from 43rd to 44th might seem insignificant, rankings do influence tournament seedings and perceptions. Nigeria’s challenge now is to turn stability under Chelle into momentum. 

With crucial qualifiers and friendlies ahead, the Super Eagles will be hoping to climb back up the ladder and maybe even break back into the global top 30.