FIFA ranking: Nigeria down to 31st

Reigning African champions, Nigeria’s Super Eagles, have paid the price of forcing the Harambee Stars of Kenya to a oneall draw in a 2014 World Cup tie in Calabar last month, as the latest FIFA Ranking released yesterday, saw Nigeria going down to 31st spot from her previous 30th position.
However, Nigeria retains her fourth place on the continent behind Cote d’Ivoire (12), Ghana (22) and Mali (26). In a statement sent to National Mirror, the world soccer governing body said the April edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking had brought movement to the top 10.
“Although the leading trio of Spain, Germany and Argentina remain unchanged, they are now being pursued by Croatia, who have climbed five places to fourth thanks to World Cup qualifying wins against Serbia and Wales, equalling the position achieved when they finished third at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, while England (7th, down 3), Italy (8th, down 3) and the Netherlands (9th, down 1) have all lost ground on the leaders.
“ Meanwhile, Ecuador (10th, up 1) have overtaken Russia (11th, down 1) and entered the top ten for the first time thanks to wins against El Salvador and Paraguay,” FIFA said.
A total of 120 “A” international matches were taken into account for the April edition of the ranking, 83 of them qualification matches for the 2014 Brazil FIFA World Cup Brazil.