SOUTH Africa have jumped a massive 25 places in the latest Fifa World rankings released yesterday.
Bafana Bafana are now number 60 in the world and 10 in Africa, this despite them winning just one of their four matches at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
But as competitive fixtures carry more weight in the rankings, and all the teams Bafana played were positioned higher than them, Gordon Igesund's side was able to score good points.
In fact, their jump in the rankings was bigger than eventual tournament winners Nigeria, who rose 22 places to number 30 in the world and fourth in Africa.
Ivory Coast remain the best-placed African side and actually rose two places in the global rankings after the Nations Cup. They are now number 12 in the world.
Ghana are second in Africa, followed by Mali, Nigeria and Algeria, who have slipped from second. Tunisia, Zambia, Central African Republic, Burkina Faso and South Africa round out the top 10.
Spain continue to head the global list, followed by Germany, Argentina, England and Italy. Brazil's loss to England in a friendly match this month saw them drop to number 18, their lowest position since the ranking started in 1993.
Bafana on the rise
SOUTH Africa have jumped a massive 25 places in the latest Fifa World rankings released yesterday.
Bafana Bafana are now number 60 in the world and 10 in Africa, this despite them winning just one of their four matches at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
But as competitive fixtures carry more weight in the rankings, and all the teams Bafana played were positioned higher than them, Gordon Igesund's side was able to score good points.
In fact, their jump in the rankings was bigger than eventual tournament winners Nigeria, who rose 22 places to number 30 in the world and fourth in Africa.
Ivory Coast remain the best-placed African side and actually rose two places in the global rankings after the Nations Cup. They are now number 12 in the world.
Ghana are second in Africa, followed by Mali, Nigeria and Algeria, who have slipped from second. Tunisia, Zambia, Central African Republic, Burkina Faso and South Africa round out the top 10.
Spain continue to head the global list, followed by Germany, Argentina, England and Italy. Brazil's loss to England in a friendly match this month saw them drop to number 18, their lowest position since the ranking started in 1993.
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