Spain stays top, African giants drop

Rwanda has climbed five slots in the latest Fifa/Coca-Cola World Rankings. The 2010 World/Nations Cup qualifiers high riders ranked 91st in January are now 86th and are edging closer to their best ever ranking (78) which they attained back in December 2008.

In the Cecafa region, Rwanda is behind Uganda (71) who dropped by three places and Sudan (84) who climbed by a massive nine slots. Kenya is ranked 96th, Ethiopia (101) while Tanzania is 103rd.

Meanwhile, there has been a massive drop by Africa’s top teams. Cameroon remains Africa’s top ranked team in 16th position despite dropping by two slots.

Nigeria are ranked 23rd after dropping six slots while African champions Egypt are ranked 30th after dropping by 15 slots.

Ghana (35) and Ivory Coast (36) round off Africa’s top five slots. Overall, European champions Spain stayed top of the rankings.

There was also no change among the world’s top 10 teams with European rivals Germany, Netherlands and Italy together with Brazil completing the top five.

However, Brazil’s 2-0 win over defending World Cup champions Italy on Tuesday could have a bearing on next month’s rankings.

Argentina, Croatia, England, Russia and Turkey round off the top 10 while Romania (17) is the only newly ranked team inside the top 20.

Fifa rankings:
1. Spain
2. Germany
3. Italy
4. Netherlands
5. Brazil

Africa
1. Cameroon (16)
2. Nigeria (23)
3. Egypt (30)
4. Ghana (35)
5. Ivory Coast (36)

Cecafa
1. Uganda (71)
2. Sudan (84)
3. Rwanda (86)
4. Kenya (96)
5. Ethiopia (103)

Ends