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Super Eagles retain 40th position in FIFA rankings

Super Eagles of Nigeria has retained their 40th position in the latest FIFA men’s rankings for October 2023.

This is despite recording a win and a draw in their last friendly games during the international break, their only games since the last FIFA world rankings in September,

Though the Super Eagles gained 1.62 points in the month under review to take their total point to 1490.48, they, however, maintained their position at 40th place.

The Eagles played a 2-2 draw with Saudi Arabia in their first game of the two friendlies before beating Mozambique 3-2 in their other game. Still, the results did not have much effect on their position on the rankings table.

Jose Peseiro’s team witnessed a significant drop in the ranking in April, falling to 40th, following their December ranking of 35th in Africa.

The major reason for this drop was suggested to be their non-participation in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Nigeria held 39th in the rankings in June and July but slipped back to 40th in September.
On the African continent, the three-time African champions remain sixth.

Meanwhile, Morocco remains Africa’s number one nation while also maintaining its 13th place in the world ranking.

Senegal still occupied the 20th place in the world, while they maintained their second position in Africa.

Tunisia, which was the only African country among the top six on the continent to move up globally last month, was the only country among the top six to drop points. They ranked 29 in the previous rankings, but in the update released by FIFA on Thursday, they now occupy the 32nd position in the world.

Algeria (33) and Egypt (35) complete the Top 5 in Africa.

Globally, World Cup winners Argentina are still the number one ranked nation ahead of France, Brazil, England, and Belgium.

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De Boer, Sneijder criticize Jordan Henderson over media snub amid Ajax departure Speculation

Former Netherlands internationals Ronald de Boer and Wesley Sneijder have voiced their frustration with former Liverpool star Jordan Henderson, slamming him for refusing to face the media amid reports suggesting he wants to leave Ajax.

Both ex-footballers believe Henderson’s refusal to wear the armband and speak to the press is causing more unrest within the club.

Sneijder, speaking to the press after Ajax’s 2-1 victory over Galatasaray in the UEFA Europa League, called out the English midfielder, stating he was “not man enough” to address the media.

“Don’t be so difficult, man. You play the match, you have the armband on and after the match, you say: ‘Yeah, guys, I don’t know yet. Something is going on. We’ll see.’ Be a man and stand your ground. Right now you get speculation and you create a lot of unrest,” Sneijder said.

De Boer also criticized Henderson, saying, “This is complete nonsense. Henderson wanted to focus on the match, but he did not have to appear in front of the camera before the match. I understand that Pasveer has to do this, but it is simply nonsense. Henderson simply has other things on his mind and apparently does not want to respond to it.”

Recent reports suggest that Henderson is pushing for a move away from Ajax this month, even threatening to go on strike.

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Yobo urges Super Eagles to start strong at 2025 AFCON

Former Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo, has emphasized the importance of a strong start for the team at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Yobo, who led Nigeria to AFCON glory in 2013, believes that a good beginning will be key to the team’s success in the competition.

The three-time African champions have been placed in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania.

“A good start is very important. The first two games are very important. It is very, very crucial,” Yobo told ESPN.

The Super Eagles will kick off their campaign against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars in Fez on Tuesday, December 23, before facing Tunisia in their second group match four days later. They will conclude their group stage against Uganda on Tuesday, December 30.