FIFA ranking: Nigeria still 14th in Africa

Super Eagles remain in the 14th position in Africa following the world ranking released by the football governing body, FIFA, on Thursday. The detail of the rankings indicates the Eagles remained in their previous position while still occupying the 67th position in the world.

Algeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Senegal and Egypt are the top five teams in Africa in that order. Nigeria’s next opponents in friendly matches planned for this month, Mali and Luxembourg sit in the 65th place and 146th place respectively in thelatest release.

In the global ranking, 2014 World Cup runners up Argentina lead the way. They are followed by Belgium, Chile, Colombia and Germany.

The next ranking will be published on June 2 and that should go a long way in determining how Nigeria would fare when the 2018 World Cup qualifying draw is made. Eagles did not play any match in April but are already lined up to play two games in May and June. The Nigeria Football Federation is trying to make it three within the period with the third game against South Africa.

In Abuja Nigeria Professional Football League sides Sunshine Stars of Akure and Giwa FC of Jos have been paired in the Federations Cup. Their fixture highlights the 2016 Fed Cup Round of 64 fixtures following the ceremony held on Thursday in Abuja. It remains to be seen if Giwa would honour their fixture having missed two games in the league already.

Rangers will face Akure City, FC Ifeanyiubah will do battle with Ebonyi United while Gateway United will tackle Kano Pillars for places in the Round of 32.

Cup holders Akwa United, 2015 finalists Lobi Stars and Enyimba will not feature in the early round of 64 as they were drawn bye to the next round.

No date and venue for the epic confrontation has been announced by the Nigeria Football Federation.