Nigeria Slip Out of Africa’s Top Five as Cote d’Ivoire Leapfrog Super Eagles in Latest FIFA Rankings

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have suffered a setback in the latest FIFA rankings, falling out of Africa’s top five football teams. The three-time African champions have been overtaken by reigning Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winners, Cote d’Ivoire, who now sit in fifth place on the continental rankings.

The latest FIFA rankings, released on Thursday, reflect Nigeria’s inconsistent performances over the past few months. Despite an impressive run to the AFCON final earlier this year, where they narrowly lost 2-1 to Cote d’Ivoire, the Super Eagles have struggled to maintain momentum. Their mixed results in international matches have contributed to their decline in ranking, as they now sit in sixth place in Africa and 43rd in the world.

Nigeria’s Recent Form Raises Concerns

Since their heartbreaking defeat in the AFCON final, Nigeria’s performances have been unpredictable. In their last 11 matches across all competitions, they have managed only four victories, with four draws and three losses. While the team has shown glimpses of quality, inconsistency has been a major issue.

The Super Eagles kicked off their 2025 campaign on a high note with a dominant 2-0 away win against Rwanda in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. However, they failed to build on that momentum, as they were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw at home by Zimbabwe in March—a result that disappointed fans and raised questions about the team’s ability to secure vital wins.

With crucial fixtures ahead, Nigeria will need to rediscover their winning formula if they hope to reclaim their spot among Africa’s elite footballing nations.

Cote d’Ivoire’s Resurgence and Rise in Rankings

While Nigeria have struggled for consistency, Cote d’Ivoire have been in excellent form since their AFCON triumph. The Elephants have won eight of their last 11 matches, displaying strong defensive discipline and attacking efficiency. Their recent 1-0 victories over Burundi and Gambia have helped them maintain their dominance in their World Cup qualifying group, where they currently sit at the top with 16 points.

This impressive run of results has propelled Cote d’Ivoire into Africa’s top five teams, joining Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, and Algeria in the elite rankings.

Nigeria’s Global Ranking Sees Minor Improvement

Despite their drop in the African rankings, the Super Eagles have moved up one place in the overall FIFA rankings, climbing from 44th to 43rd. However, this marginal improvement on the global stage does little to ease concerns about their form within the continent.

Meanwhile, Argentina continue to hold onto the top spot in the world rankings, followed by France, England, Brazil, and Spain. Other European powerhouses, including the Netherlands, Portugal, Belgium, Italy, and Germany, complete the global top 10.

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Africa’s Top 10 FIFA Rankings (Latest Update):

1. Morocco

2. Senegal

3. Egypt

4. Algeria

5. Cote d’Ivoire

6. Nigeria

7. Tunisia

8. Cameroon

9. Mali

10. South Africa

A Crucial Road Ahead for Nigeria

The Super Eagles have an opportunity to bounce back in their upcoming matches, with crucial World Cup qualifiers set to take place in June. They will face tough opposition, including Russia, Ghana, and two other national teams in friendly matches, which will serve as an important test for head coach Finidi George’s squad.

As the race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup intensifies, Nigeria must address their inconsistencies and find a way to string together positive results. If they fail to do so, they risk slipping even further down the rankings and missing out on a place among Africa’s dominant footballing nations.

For the Super Eagles, the next few months will be crucial in determining whether they can reclaim their status as one of the continent’s top teams or continue their downward trajectory.