FIFA Ranking: Heartbreak for Nigeria Super Eagles and Ghana as South Africa soar higher

The latest FIFA rankings have dealt a significant blow to Nigeria's Super Eagles and Ghana, as both teams experienced notable declines while South Africa enjoyed a rise.

Nigeria suffered the biggest drop among the three nations, falling eight places having moved from 39th to 36th in the world in the last ranking as reported by Pulse Sports.

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In the latest issue by FIFA, Nigeria has now dropped to 44th in the world after a disappointing international break where they struggled against Benin Republic and Rwanda in the final AFCON qualifiers for 2025, while Ghana also dropped four spots to 77th.

In contrast, South Africa's Bafana Bafana climbed three positions to 57th globally, reflecting their recent resurgence in form following a successful return to form in the last window.

This improvement comes as a welcome boost for South African football, which has faced challenges in recent years.

Additionally, Nigeria’s neighbour Niger Republic emerged as the biggest mover in this ranking cycle, jumping an impressive nine places. This surge highlights their growing competitiveness on the continental stage.

Despite these fluctuations, the top five teams in Africa registered just one change with Algeria replacing Nigeria in fourth, while Morocco, Senegal, and Egypt, continue to lead the pack.

The Super Eagles currently sit fifth among African nations, but their recent performances have raised concerns about their ability to compete effectively.

As Nigeria and Ghana seek to regain their footing in international football, South Africa's rise serves as a reminder of the potential for turnaround within the sport.