Nigeria’s Super Eagles experienced a disappointing slide in the latest FIFA men’s rankings, dropping two places to 44th globally, as announced on Thursday.
This draws a continuation of their decline after losing ground in October. On the African continent, Nigeria now ranks fifth, overtaken by Morocco, Senegal, Algeria, and Egypt .
The slip comes on the back of underwhelming performances in November’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The Super Eagles managed a 1-0 victory against Benin Republic thanks to a clean header from Napoli-owned forward, Victor Osimhen, and a shocking loss against Rwanda at the Uyo Stadium. Although, the 2023 AFCON Runners up already secured their ticket to participate in the next nations cup.
This performance dented their chances in the FIFA ranking which resulted to a big drop from 36th place and a drop among the African teams.
Meanwhile, Morocco remains Africa’s top team, ranked 14th in the world, followed by Senegal in 17th. Although Egypt drew Cape Verde and Botswana during the international window which led to their drop but stilled remain ahead of Nigeria.
Globally, Argentina retained their top position despite a loss to Paraguay in World Cup qualifiers. France and Spain occupy second and third, respectively, while England and Brazil round out the top five .
The Super Eagles face increasing pressure to improve their performances, particularly with significant competitions on the horizon.
Shina Oludare is a distinguished sports journalist and managing editor, renowned for his comprehensive coverage of African football. His dedication to elevating African sports on the global stage has earned him widespread respect, along with numerous accolades for his contributions. A graduate of the LaLiga Business School in Madrid, Oludare’s passion for sports and his influential work in African football journalism have established him as a leading figure in the industry.
