Senegal National team: Rose to a record 23rd place in the world and first in Africa.
African Football: Senegal is First
FIFA rankings were released today and Senegal rose to a record 23rd place in the world and first in Africa. This is cherry news to the West African Country.
Other west African countries came last at the rung of ladder: Nigeria is 8th in Africa, 50th in the world; Ghana is 9th in Africa, 51st in the world while Ivory Coast 10th in Africa and 61st in the world.
The ‘Teranga Lions’ of Senegal achieved their highest position thanks to back-to-back World Cup qualifying victories over South Africa this month.
Senegal triumphed 2-0 in Polokwane to seal a place at the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia, then won a dead-rubber 2-1 in Dakar four days later.
They climbed nine places in the world since October to displace Tunisia as the number one national team in Africa.
The Guardian reports that it was a short-lived time at the top for the Tunisians, who moved into first place only last month for the first time in 15 years.
Tunisia slipped to second behind Senegal and ahead of Egypt having been held 0-0 at home by Libya in a World Cup qualifier.
The Democratic Republic of Congo remained fourth and Herve Renard-coached Morocco climbed two places to fifth after defeating the Ivory Coast to book a World Cup slot in Russia.
It will be a first World Cup appearance for Frenchman Renard after winning the Africa Cup of Nations with Zambia and the Ivory Coast.
Burkina Faso, Cup of Nations title-holders Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and the Ivory Coast complete the top 10.
The following is the list of Africa Top 10
1. Senegal (world ranking 23)
2. Tunisia (27)
3. Egypt (31)
4. Democratic Republic of Congo (36)
5. Morocco (40)
6. Burkina Faso (44)
7. Cameroon (45)
8. Nigeria (50)
9. Ghana (51)
10. Ivory Coast (61)
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