Rwanda senior football team, Amavubi Stars, have improved in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola rankings released on Thursday in Zurich, Switzerland, jumping 16 places from 94th to 78th. The huge improvement comes after a three match unbeaten run since June including a goalless draw against Kenya, a 2-0 win over Tanzania in Genocide Memorial Tournament and the 1-0 away win to Mozambique in the 2017 AFCON Gabon qualifiers. Amavubi rose to record 64th place in March. Despite dropping by two slots, Uganda ranks 73rd to maintain the lead spot in the CECAFA region ahead of Rwanda (78), Ethiopia (101), Kenya (116), Burundi (131), Tanzania (139) and South Sudan (195). In Africa, Algeria still leads while it stands in the 19th position in world ranking while reigning African champions Ivory Coast are second on the continent and 21st globally. Ghana and Tunisia rank 25th and 32nd to complete the continent’s top four. Copa America 2015 beaten finalists Argentina have dethroned reigning world champions Germany at the top of the world ranking with the Germans dropping to second while Belgium, Colombia and Netherlands complete the top five. Gareth Bale’s Wales are in the top ten for the first time in their history in 10th place. Record five-time world champions Brazil are sixth, England ninth, Copa America champions Chile are 11th, 2010 world champions Spain are 12th while France stumbled to 22nd position. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
