South Africa have dropped one place to number 70 in the latest Fifa world rankings, despite three wins in a row that have boosted morale again in the national side.
Bafana are now ranked below the likes of the United Arab Emirates, Panama and Iran.
It is a further blow to Safa's aims of having the country as a regular feature in the world's top 20, as well as their ambition to be in the top three among the African nations.
South Africa now potentially face a more difficult path to global finals, though the better news is that, despite slipping one place down the world list, they are actually up two on the CAF list.
The country is now placed 16th in Africa after moving above Zambia and Burkina Faso, who fell further than Mashaba's men.
It seems inevitable then that Bafana will get one of the continent's "big guns" in the World Cup qualifiers, with the thought of an Algeria or Ivory Coast blocking their path to Russia particularly unappetising.
Algeria remain the top-ranked African side, followed by Ivory Coast, Ghana, Tunisia and Senegal.
Cameroon, Congo, Cape Verde Islands, Egypt and Nigeria round out the top 10.
Argentina have moved to the top of the global list ahead of world champions Germany, despite losing the recent Copa America final to Chile.
Germany are in second, ahead of Belgium, Colombia, Netherlands, Brazil, Portugal, Romania, England and surprise package Wales.
Spain, top of the list for so long after their 2010 World Cup triumph, have plummeted to 12th.
South Africa fall down latest Fifa World Rankings
South Africa have dropped one place to number 70 in the latest Fifa world rankings, despite three wins in a row that have boosted morale again in the national side.
Bafana are now ranked below the likes of the United Arab Emirates, Panama and Iran.
It is a further blow to Safa's aims of having the country as a regular feature in the world's top 20, as well as their ambition to be in the top three among the African nations.
South Africa now potentially face a more difficult path to global finals, though the better news is that, despite slipping one place down the world list, they are actually up two on the CAF list.
The country is now placed 16th in Africa after moving above Zambia and Burkina Faso, who fell further than Mashaba's men.
It seems inevitable then that Bafana will get one of the continent's "big guns" in the World Cup qualifiers, with the thought of an Algeria or Ivory Coast blocking their path to Russia particularly unappetising.
Algeria remain the top-ranked African side, followed by Ivory Coast, Ghana, Tunisia and Senegal.
Cameroon, Congo, Cape Verde Islands, Egypt and Nigeria round out the top 10.
Argentina have moved to the top of the global list ahead of world champions Germany, despite losing the recent Copa America final to Chile.
Germany are in second, ahead of Belgium, Colombia, Netherlands, Brazil, Portugal, Romania, England and surprise package Wales.
Spain, top of the list for so long after their 2010 World Cup triumph, have plummeted to 12th.
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