Senegal still the number 1 team in Africa

Idrissa Gana Gueye of Senegal challenged by Ismael Bennacer of Algeria 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

Thursday Sep 19, 2019. 11:00

Senegal remain the top ranked team on the continent with African champions Algeria still fourth in the continental rankings and 18 places behind in the latest FIFA poll of men’s national teams.

The new monthly rankings, released by world football’s governing body on Thursday, has Senegal in 20th place; Tunisia 29th, Nigeria 34th and Algeria 38th with Morocco just one place behind the recent winners of the African Cup of Nations tournament in Egypt.

Senegal did not play in the latest international window in September while Tunisia beat Mauritania and then lost to the Ivory Coast in friendly internationals and Nigeria let a two goal lead slip to tie with the Ukraine in another friendly game.

Morocco played two internationals as well and Algeria beat Benin 1-0 this month but points on the FIFA rankings for friendly matches are much less than for competitive ties.

The top 10 in Africa is rounded out by Egypt (49), Ghana (51), Cameroon (53), the Democratic Republic of Congo (55) and Ivory Coast (56).

Among the biggest movers was tiny Djibouti (186th, up nine place), who recently overcame Eswatini (150th, down 11 places) over two legs to advance to the second round of African World Cup qualifying for just the second time.

Belgium remain top of the FIFA rankings after an action-packed number of weeks in international football which saw 78 friendlies, 74 continental qualifiers and 60 World Cup qualifiers take place.