Rwanda drop to 120th in FIFA rankings

Rwanda has slipped two places in the latest FIFA world rankings released on Thursday in Zurich, Switzerland. Rwanda is now 120th with 268 points and 31st on the continent; a drop from 118th world wide and 29th in Africa from last month’s ranking. In the CECAFA region, Rwanda is ranked third behind Uganda, who dropped four places to 74th globally but ranked 14th in Africa. Kenya is second following a 9-place drop to 111th. Sudan climbed four places to 137th, Burundi dropped to 138th, Tanzania slipped six places to 142nd while Ethiopia improved by 6 places to 145th. CECAFA Senior Challenge tournament guests Libya and Zimbabwe are 19th and 27th respectively on the continent and 77th and 103rd globally. Early this month, Rwanda secured a ticket to next year’s Africa Nation Championship (CHAN) finals in Morocco after eliminating Ethiopia on 3-2 aggregate. Meanwhile, the Lions of Teranga (Senegal) have risen to 23rd – their highest-ever position on the global ladder – on the back of securing a first World Cup place since 2002. They are now the top-ranked African nation, having leapfrogged fellow Russia 2018 qualifiers Tunisia (27th, up 1) and Egypt (31st, down 1). Cameroons falls by three places to 45th as Nigeria slips down by 9 places to 50th. Germany maintains the number one status quo slot with 1602 points while Brazil is second on 1483 points. Overall, Korea DPR is the best improved country in the world ascending an overwhelming 18 places to 114th. Palestine (82, up 2), Luxembourg (84, up 9) and Chinese Taipei (135, up 8) all joined Senegal in reaching their best ranking positions to date. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Rwanda drop to 120th in FIFA rankings