The latest FIFA rankings published yesterday confirmed one fundamental truth, that perhaps the ordinary football lover watches teams miles different from the teams FIFA chooses to rank.
There’s nothing positive positive for Nigeria in the latest rankings, as we now seem rooted to the 30-50’s region. The Super Eagles of Nigeria fell 17 places to become the 57th ranked team in the world and the 10th best team in Africa. Ghana, Algeria, Ivory are all ahead of Nigeria in FIFA’s latest reckoning.
Nigeria’s descent on the ranking is a little hard to bear considering the fact that in the period under review, the Super Eagles only played one competitive match Chad which they won 2-0.
Argentina is top of the log despite losing the Copa America finals to Chile. It is the second time in a row they’ve lost a major final game.
Perhaps one of the biggest surprises in the ranking is Romania who have shot up to 9th place. I must confess that I’ve never watched the Romanian national team.
On the strength of their Copa America victory, Chile have moved up eight places to 11th.
The teams which make up FIFA’s top Ten Ranking are:
1. Argentina
2. Germany
3. Belgium
4. Colombia
5. Netherlands
6. Brazil
7. Portugal
8. Romania
9. England
10. Wales