Nigeria has climbed 10 places to perch at 34th in the latest FIFA rankings released on Thursday.
The great leap has occurred as a result of the Super Eagles’ Round of 16 berth at the recently –concluded FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014, and also sees the African champions rising to third place in Africa, behind Algeria and Cote d’Ivoire.
Ironically, Cote d’Ivoire’s Elephants failed to reach the knock–out stage at the FIFA World Cup finals, while Algeria, like Nigeria, also crashed out at the Round of 16, after losing to eventual champions Germany in extra time.
World champions Germany now occupies the number one position, followed by Brazil 2014 runner –up Argentina, with bronze medalists The Netherlands moving 12 places to perch at third.
In Africa, seven –time continental champions Egypt occupy fourth place, followed by Ghana, Tunisia, Guinea, Cameroon, Burkina Faso and Mali in that order.
Algeria occupies 24th place in the world, with the Ivorians at 25th.
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