By Amaechi Agbo

2023 Africa Cup of Nations finalists, Super Eagles of Nigeria have dropped two places from 28th to 30th in the March global football ranking released by FIFA on Thursday.

The drop in the ranking is not unconnected with the teams’ recent outings in two international friendlies where they beat Ghana 2-1 but lost 2-0 against Mali last month.

In February, Nigeria climbed to the country’s highest slot on the FIFA ranking since May 2013, propelled by a silver-winning campaign at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.

The Atlas Lions, Morocco occupy 13th spot in the world but retain pole position on the continent, followed by Senegal who are 17th in the world and second in Africa.

African champions, Cote d’Ivoire move up to 38th in the world and take up the fifth spot on the continent, just behind fourth placed Egypt who are 38th in the world.

North African powerhouses, Tunisia and Algeria remain 41st and 43rd respectively on the global rankings and are followed by Mali who moved three places up to 44.

Meanwhile, Argentina remained number one globally, with France in second place, while Belgium leapfrogged Brazil and England to third in the global rankings.