Nigeria’s Super Falcons have held on to their 36th place in the latest FIFA Women’s World Rankings, despite securing a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in stunning fashion.
The new rankings released by FIFA on Thursday offered mixed emotions for Africa’s top women’s teams.
While Nigeria lifted the 2024 WAFCON trophy without losing a match, the feat was not enough to propel them higher in the global standings.
Coach Justin Madugu’s side went unbeaten through six matches, including a tense final victory over hosts Morocco. Along the way, they defeated South Africa in the semi-finals, Zambia in the last eight, and overcame Tunisia and Botswana in the group stage. Algeria were the only side to hold them to a draw.
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That triumph ensured Nigeria now have more continental titles (10) than any other women’s team globally. In comparison, powerhouses like the United States, Brazil, and China have each won their respective continental tournaments nine times.
However, the Super Falcons’ global ranking has remained unchanged since March 2024. Nigeria, whose all-time highest FIFA ranking was 23rd in 2005, continue to be the highest-ranked African women’s team.
South Africa, the former WAFCON champions, sit second in Africa but remain 54th worldwide. Morocco, runners-up on home soil, have dropped four places to 64th globally, though they are still Africa’s third-best side.
Zambia hold steady in fourth place in the continental standings, while Cameroon and Ghana follow in fifth and sixth respectively. However, both suffered slight dips globally — Cameroon falling to 66th and Ghana to 67th, despite the latter’s bronze medal finish at the WAFCON.
Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Algeria, and Senegal round out Africa’s top 10.
On the global front, Spain reclaimed the top spot despite falling short in the UEFA Women’s Euro final to England.
The United States slipped to second, Sweden climbed to third, while England — now European champions — are ranked fourth. Germany, France, and Brazil complete the top seven. Japan, Canada, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea make up the remainder of the world’s top 10.