Nigeria’s senior national team, the Super Eagles has dropped a place to 51st in the latest FIFA world ranking released yesterday by the world football governing body.

The Super Eagles gathered a total of 616 points to fall to number eight in Africa. However, the one spot dropped has also moved Nigeria to the eighth place in Africa.

Senegal ended this year as the highest ranked African national team, edging Cup of Nations title holders the Ivory Coast for top spot in the December listings.

Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Morocco complete the top 10 compiled by FIFA.

All the countries, except Nigeria will be among the 16 challengers for the Cup of Nations title when Gabon stages the 2017 tournament between January 14 and February 5.

Another four qualified teams – Mali, Cameroon, giantkillers Guinea-Bissau and Uganda are among the top 20 ranked teams.

Gabon-bound Togo and Zimbabwe and the host nation fall outside the elite, but should not be underestimated when the biennial African Cup kicks off in Libreville.

On the global scene, Argentina has ended the year on top of the world, leading the way in the final ranking of 2016 with neighbours Brazil in second place.

There were also no movements inside or into the top 10.

The next FIFA world ranking will be published on Thursday 12 January 2017.
Read more at http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/sports/nigeria-to-51st-on-fifa-ranking/177424.html#TcmVDpUkcm0qBoPq.99