Once ranked the top team in Africa, Nigeria’s Super Eagles are on a backward trajectory.
The West African football powerhouse has slipped five places in the latest FIFA ranking, standing at a lowly 67th.
This was highly expected though, following the nation’s failure to book a berth in the 2017 African Cup of Nations that will take place in Gabon.
The Super Eagles were held to a one-all draw at home by Egypt in the first leg of the ties played last month, before falling to a solitary goal in the return leg.
The defeat meant they will miss out on the continental showpiece in Gabon next year.
The Nigerians are now ranked as the 14th best African side, two placed behind Mali.
In the latest ranking, Algeria, standing at 33 having moved four places up, tops African teams followed by Cote d’Ivoire then Ghana.
Notably, Egypt moved up by an impressive nine places to be ranked at position 44 worldwide.
Among the countries that recorded the biggest slip was Kenya. The East African nation slipped backward by 12 places to position 115.
The drop is attributed to Harambee Stars two-legged loss to Guinea Bissau, going town to by a solitary goal in both legs.
Guinea Bissau and Morocco are the most outstanding performers in the world.
Guinea-Bissau (up 45) have climbed the most positions by rank, while Morocco (131 points) enjoy the biggest move by virtue of points.
From the African continent, former top ranked team Cape Verde was the biggest loser, moving backward by 16 positions.
At the top of the worldwide standings, Argentina leapfrogged Belgium to the top spot, while Chile also moved up two places to rank at position 3.
