Sierra Leone has moved up two places in the recent FIFA ranking of November from 99 to 97 despite not kicking a ball since September. Salone hasn’t played a game… but teams on the rankings have played and not done well.
According to Ibrahim Kamara, a football administrator, “Sierra Leone national home-based stars were eliminated from this year’s WAFU Cup of Nations in September following a 2-0 defeat to Nigeria’s home-based Eagles at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium in Ghana.”
Since that time, they have never played in any other competitions that have some effect on the country ranking.
While another football administrator, Albert Koroma, said West African neighbours Senegal who have qualified for next years World Cup in Russia are among the biggest climbers.
Senegal, who moved up to 23 from 32 on the FIFA World Rankings for November, was very impressive against South Africa during their World Cup replayed contest at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in November that saw them qualify for next year’s World Cup in Russia.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles are the lowest ranked among Africa’s World Cup-bound nations at 50 globally and 8 on the continent.
Burkina Faso were also impressive. They’re the biggest continental movers – moved 11 places up to reach 44 overall and six in Africa.
The global top five of Germany, Brazil, Portugal, Argentina and Belgium remains unchanged from October.
Africa’s top ten: Senegal (23), Tunisia (27), Egypt (31). DR Congo (36), Morocco (40) Burkina Faso (44), Cameroon (45), Nigeria (50), Ghana (51), Ivory Coast (61) Sierra Leone (97 in the World) static 23 in Africa.
The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on 21 December 2017.
Friday November 24, 2017.
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