Algeria climb 28 spots following Afcon win

Riyad Mahrez of Algeria receive a trophy from CAF President Ahmad and FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals, Final match between Senegal and Algeria at Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 19 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

by Staff Reporter

Friday Jul 26, 2019. 16:00

The Dessert Foxes beat Senegal 1-0 in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations final last week for a second continental crown.

Victory in Egypt duly propelled Algeria up the FIFA World Rankings with the North Africans climbing an astonishing 28 places to 40th in the world and fourth on the continent.

Despite losing in the final, the Teranga Lions remain the highest ranked African team at 20th in the world, followed by Tunisia (29th) and Nigeria (33rd). The Super Eagles beat the Carthage Eagles in the bronze medal match at the recently concluded Afcon.

Morocco round off the top five, while Egypt also move into the top 50 in the world despite losing to South Africa in the Round of 16.

Ghana, Cameroon, Congo DR and the Ivory Coast complete the top 10.

Notable, Madagascar rise 12 places to 96th in the world following their memorable run to the quarterfinals. Furthermore, Eritrea and Somalia remain the lowest ranked teams in Africa at 202nd in the world.