FIFA Rankings: Falcons Get Significant Lift after World Cup Performance

  The Super Falcons of Nigeria have climbed up eight places to the 32nd position in the latest FIFA rankings for female football.

Before the World Cup in Australia/New Zealand, Nigeria were 40th in the world. Their poor display at the last Women’s Africa Cup of Nations did not do them much good, and they were not expected to do well at the FIFA Women’s World Cup because of the shenanigans between the team and the NFF. However, the nine-time African champions put up a decent performance. They finished with five points after beating co-hosts Australia 3-2 and picking draws from the other games against Ireland and Canada.

Unfortunately for them, they lost to eventual finalists England in the round of 16. Nigeria put up a strong display and were the better side, but they lost via a penalty shootout. World football governing body FIFA have released their latest rankings for female football following the completion of the World Cup, and the Super Falcons have moved up. They are 32nd in the world and number one in Africa. Meanwhile, South Africa, who also reached the round of 16 for the first time, are 45th in the world and second in Africa. Cameroon are 56th in the world and 3rd in Africa, while Morocco sit 58th in the world and 4th on the continent.

The Super Falcons qualified for the round of 16 after a good run of games in the first round, but England knocked them out.