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By Amaechi Agbo

Super Eagles of Nigeria have remained dormant in FIFA ranking as the three-time Africa champions have ended the outgoing 2021 as the 36th best football playing country.in the world, FIFA confirmed on Thursday.

The team had remained 36th in the world a position she occupied since October and November ranking. The team last ranked 34th during September.

In the December ranking released by FIFA on Thursday, the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON semi-finakists were ranked 5th in Africa.

The Augustine Eguavoen-led team got a total of 1478.78 points to remain on the 36th ahead of their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON Group D opponents, Egypt who are placed 6th on the continent with a total points of 1451.77.

The release placed Senegal, 20th in the world, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia on 28th, 29th and 30th in the world as the 1st, and, 3rd and 4th nations in Africa respectively.

Their 2021 AFCON Group D opponents Pharoahs of Egypt did not change position also as they are in 45th place and sixth on the continent.

Guinea-Bissau who will also face the Eagles maintained 106th spot while another group opponent Sudan dropped to 125th.

January ranking will be critical in deciding the pairing for the 2022 World Cup Play-off matches with Senegal, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Nigeria seeded.

For the fourth year in a row, Belgium (1st) end the calendar year in pole position, albeit only just ahead of Brazil (2nd) by 2.1 points. France (3rd) complete the podium for 2021.

The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on 10 February 2022.