By Victor Kanayo
Nigeria’s Super Falcons experienced their lowest FIFA ranking ever, few weeks after the country’s senior women team performed woefully during the just concluded Women African Cup of (WAFCON).
In the August 2022 ranking, the Nigerian team slipped seven places after losing 69.33 points.
Precisely, Nigeria recorded the most points drop than any other nation.
The Nigerian side though still ranked best in Africa, moved from 39 to 46, and is now below in rank when compared to countries like Chinese Taipei (38), Romania (40), Thailand (41), Jamaica (42) and Slovenia (45).
The WAFCON champions, Bayana Bayana of South Africa, who beat the Super Falcons in their group opener climbed to 54th from their previous 58th in the World ranking and second in Africa.
In Africa, the third best team at this year’s biennial football event, Zambia, were the biggest movers climbing to 10th in Africa and rated 80th in the World from their previous 103rd and 13th in their previous world and African rankings respectively.
WAFCON runners-up and hosts, Morocco were able to move just one step in the World ranking from 77th to 76th and 8th in Africa.
The United States of America Women national team remained the best in the world, followed by European Women Cup runners-up, Germany and Sweden in that order.
New European champions, England, occupied the fourth position after rising four places from previous ranking.
The Netherlands, Canada, Spain, Brazil and North Korea make up the World top ten.