There were some positive signs for the country’s football on Thursday, after the latest FIFA Rankings for September were released by the world football body.
Three-time African champions Nigeria, who have witnessed a decline in form in recent times, moved up three spots in the rankings from 67 to 64, while their 2018 World Cup qualifying opponents Algeria, Cameroon and Zambia all slipped in the ratings.
The Super Eagles are also ranked 14th in Africa, after their 1-0 victory at home against Tanzania earlier this month, in an inconsequential 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. Nigeria will miss out on the continental championship for a second consecutive edition.
Zambia, who host the Eagles next month in the final round of the qualifying series for the World Cup, are now 92nd in the world after dropping one place from the 91st position in August.
