ZURICH - South Africa climbed two places to 49th position in the latest Fifa world rankings released yesterday.
Despite crashing out of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers this month, following a goalless draw against Sierra Leone in Nelspruit, Bafana Bafana also rose one place to eighth among African countries.
South Africa will look to climb even further up the global list when they face Ivory Coast in their next match, a friendly encounter at home on November 12.
Ivory Coast, 19th in the world, are the top-ranked African team.
Meanwhile, Spain extended their lead at the top of Fifa's monthly world rankings on Wednesday, as Greece and Denmark, who won their groups in 2012 European Championship qualifiers, entered the top 10.
Spain won their two Euro 2012 qualifying matches this month while second ranked Netherlands lost one, to Sweden.
Germany and South American champions Uruguay stayed third and fourth, respectively. Brazil rose two places to number five, followed by Italy and England.
Greece rose three spots to share eighth place with Portugal, who lost to the Danes and face a play-off to advance to the Euro 2012 finals.
Argentina, who lost a 2014 World Cup qualifier against Venezuela, are tied with Denmark for 10th spot.
Japan lead Asian nations at No 17.
Mexico head CONCACAF members in 22nd spot, and the United States drop three places to 34th.
Former US coach Bob Bradley vaulted over his old team, leading African champions Egypt up seven places to 29th.
Montenegro fell 13 places to 39th spot despite reaching the Euro 2012 play-offs. Estonia at 59th is the lowest-ranked of the eight play-off teams.
Wales used their two Euro 2012 wins to leap 45 places to 45th spot.
Iraq rose 16 places to 91 after beating China in a World Cup qualifier, while Qatar, the 2022 World Cup hosts, rose eight to 92nd place.
New Zealand, Oceania's best nation, did not play last month yet dropped 16 places to 104th spot.
Bafana climb up rankings
ZURICH - South Africa climbed two places to 49th position in the latest Fifa world rankings released yesterday.
Despite crashing out of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers this month, following a goalless draw against Sierra Leone in Nelspruit, Bafana Bafana also rose one place to eighth among African countries.
South Africa will look to climb even further up the global list when they face Ivory Coast in their next match, a friendly encounter at home on November 12.
Ivory Coast, 19th in the world, are the top-ranked African team.
Meanwhile, Spain extended their lead at the top of Fifa's monthly world rankings on Wednesday, as Greece and Denmark, who won their groups in 2012 European Championship qualifiers, entered the top 10.
Spain won their two Euro 2012 qualifying matches this month while second ranked Netherlands lost one, to Sweden.
Germany and South American champions Uruguay stayed third and fourth, respectively. Brazil rose two places to number five, followed by Italy and England.
Greece rose three spots to share eighth place with Portugal, who lost to the Danes and face a play-off to advance to the Euro 2012 finals.
Argentina, who lost a 2014 World Cup qualifier against Venezuela, are tied with Denmark for 10th spot.
Japan lead Asian nations at No 17.
Mexico head CONCACAF members in 22nd spot, and the United States drop three places to 34th.
Former US coach Bob Bradley vaulted over his old team, leading African champions Egypt up seven places to 29th.
Montenegro fell 13 places to 39th spot despite reaching the Euro 2012 play-offs. Estonia at 59th is the lowest-ranked of the eight play-off teams.
Wales used their two Euro 2012 wins to leap 45 places to 45th spot.
Iraq rose 16 places to 91 after beating China in a World Cup qualifier, while Qatar, the 2022 World Cup hosts, rose eight to 92nd place.
New Zealand, Oceania's best nation, did not play last month yet dropped 16 places to 104th spot.
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