Nigeria Wrap-Up 2014 On A Low

The Super Eagles of Nigeria continued the free fall after failing to qualify for African Cup Of Nations in 2015. The African champions dropped one place in the december ranking to end the year as ninth in Africa and 43rd best team in the world.

Stephen Keshi’s men began the year on a shaky note as they dropped four places to 41st in the January no thanks to their 2-1 defeat to Mali in the African Nations Championship game, a tournament that has been upgraded to ranking status by Fifa.

In February, they continued their slow and steady fall as they dropped six places to 47th.

Super Eagles maintained the same position in March thanks to their goalless draw with Mexico in an international friendly. For the first time in the year, Nigeria moved up the ladder as they were rated 45th in the April standing.

This rise continued in May as they moved a spot upward to climb to the 44th spot in the world and sixth in Africa – a mark they held on to going into the Fifa World Cup Brazil and also in the June version of the grading.

Nigeria’s biggest progress came in July as they climbed ten places to 34th spot following their impressive showing at the Fifa World Cup despite their second round dismissal by France. In August, the African champions continued to mount northward as they were placed 33rd.

Things got worse in September as they crashed four places to 37th position in the world and declined five spots in October and maintained the same position in November 2014.

World champions Germany topped the final ranking of the year for the second time since 1993, while South American giants Argentina and Colombia finished in second and third place respectively.

Algeria ended 2014 as the best team in Africa followed by Tunisia and Cote d’Ivoire while the Black Stars of Ghana were adjudged the fifth best team in Africa.