The latest FIFA rankings have been released and Nigeria have dropped by one place.
The FIFA rankings are released after every international break. The Super Eagles entered the last round of international games as the 30th strongest team in world football but FIFA has dropped them to 31st. This also sees their ranking in Africa drop by one place because the FIFA rankings are used to prepare the official continental rankings as well.
Super Eagles displaced in Africa rankings
They have been displaced by the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia who have now moved into 30th place on the FIFA log and into third place on the CAF rankings while Nigeria sits in fourth place in the African log. This is despite the flamboyant start to the 2023 African Cup of Nations qualifiers by the Super Eagles who scored 12 goals in two matches, 10 coming against Sao Tome and Principe.
Senegal, the 2021 AFCON winners remain in first place in Africa and in 18th place in the world rankings. They are followed in Africa by Morocco in second, who are 22nd in the world rankings. Tunisia replaces Nigeria in third on the African log and in 30th in the world rankings, while Nigeria slips down to fourth in Africa and 31st in the world.
The failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup affected the Super Eagles but they could see their ranking restored under Jose Peseiro, who is bringing the light back to the team, judging from their performances in the past international break.
Osimhen on the radar of Chelsea
Meanwhile, Victor Osimhen could secure his next big move after reports emerged of the Blues looking to sign him as a replacement for the departing Romelu Lukaku.
The Belgian rejoined his old club from Internazionale in the summer of 2021 but his move to Stamford Bridge has failed to yield any positives, with Lukaku having fallen out with Thomas Tuchel and the club’s fans. He is now set to return to Inter in the Serie A and the club are looking for a new striker.
Osimhen, whose transfer to Napoli is currently under heavy scrutiny for the alleged African-record fee paid to LOSC Lille by the Partenopei, has now been reported to be Chelsea’s preference to replace Lukaku.
Osimhen has been approached by a few Premier League clubs including Arsenal, who have had a bid turned down by Napoli already. The Guners are set for a bidding war with their London rivals Chelsea, who are also preparing to move fpr the 23-year-old.
Chelsea are also looking at Lille’s Jonathan David and Sassuolo’s Gianluca Scamacca as options but it is understood that Osimhen is the preferred name in the Chelsea boardroom discussions.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago
