Eagles up again on FIFA rankings

Nigeria’s position on the FIFA rankings soared again as Cameroon continue to head the list of African sides. Egypt jumped a step further in the first table of 2009.

The Indomitable Lions are ranked 14th overall in the world, with African champions, Egypt now one place behind them in the 15th position.

Nigeria have also climbed two places to 17th, benefiting further from their impressive recent unbeaten run in World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifying games.

Ghana’s Black Stars are up by one step to 25th position, while Ivory Coast drop one to 29th.

Last month’s big movers, Kenya, dropped back to 84th position, having briefly climbed to 68th, on the back of qualifying for the final stage of World and Nations Cup events.

Meanwhile, Giovanni Trapattoni’s Republic of Ireland side have also risen one place in the latest FIFA world rankings to 37.

Ireland have not played since the 3–2 friendly defeat to Poland in November, but benefited from a fall of three places by Ecuador.

European champions, Spain, remained top of the rankings following a quiet month for international football. With few teams in action, the top 14 stayed unchanged as Spain stretched their spell at the top into a seventh month with Germany and Netherlands their nearest challengers.
World champions, Italy, are in fourth place ahead of South American powerhouses, Brazil and Argentina.

England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales remain unchanged in eighth, 33rd, 52nd and 60th places respectively.
Ireland’s World Cup 2010 qualifying rivals, Bulgaria, dropped one place to 28th, while Cyprus remain in 94th.