Super Eagles of Nigeria have fallen out of Africa’s top five teams in the latest FIFA rankings, with reigning AFCON champions Cote d’Ivoire overtaking them for fifth place.
The latest rankings, released on Thursday, reflect Nigeria’s inconsistent form in recent months. The three-time African champions now sit in sixth place on the continent.
Since their AFCON final defeat to Cote d’Ivoire in February, the Super Eagles have struggled for consistency. They have won just four of their last 11 matches across all competitions, drawing four and losing three.
Nigeria’s 2025 campaign started on a high note with a 2-0 away victory over Rwanda in the World Cup qualifiers. However, they followed it up with a disappointing 1-1 home draw against Zimbabwe in March, highlighting their ongoing struggles.
Super Eagles drop in the FIFA ranking despite their victory in Kigali against Rwanda. Photo Credit: Imago
Cote d’Ivoire’s Rise to the Top Five
In contrast, Cote d’Ivoire has been in superb form, winning eight of their last 11 matches. Their recent 1-0 victories over Burundi and Gambia have kept them on track for the 2026 World Cup, securing 16 points and maintaining top spot in their qualifying group ahead of Gabon.
READ MORE:Super Eagles assistant coach defends tactical call in draw against Zimbabwe
Their strong performances have propelled them into Africa’s top five, where they join Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, and Algeria.
Despite dropping in the African rankings, Nigeria has moved up one spot globally, climbing from 44th to 43rd in the FIFA rankings. However, this minor improvement was not enough to keep them among Africa’s elite.
Africa’s Top 10 FIFA Rankings:
- Morocco
- Senegal
- Egypt
- Algeria
- Cote d’Ivoire
- Nigeria
- Tunisia
- Cameroon
- Mali
- South Africa
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Argentina remains the world’s top-ranked team, followed by France, England, Brazil, and Spain. The rest of the top 10 includes the Netherlands, Portugal, Belgium, Italy, and Germany.
