Zebras soar in FIFA rankings

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Thursday December 16, 2010 00:00

 

Today, to the chagrin of opponents, the Zebras are moving up the FIFA rankings, with a clear intention to occupy some position among the world's top teams. Latest FIFA rankings place the Zebras 53rd, only two places shy of the world's top 50, and only two places behind more fancied neighbours, South Africa, after leapfrogging 14 nations.

The Zebras are moving up the FIFA rankings at a fast rate with a top 50 position in the world just two steps away.

The latest rankings show that the Zebras will end the year at 53rd spot in the world and 12th in Africa after leapfrogging 14 nations. The previous ranking of 67th was the team's best in history.

The Zebras are yet to lose a game in their 2012 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. Last month, they completed a double over African powerhouse Tunisia, beating them 1-0 in the return leg of the qualifiers. 

They find themselves on the brink of qualification for the first time after opening a six point lead in Group K. They need only two points from their remaining three games to book a place in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea in 2012.

The Zebras, under the tutelage of Stanley Tshosane started climbing up the rankings in July after beating Tunisia in the opening match of the qualifiers when they were still ranked outside the top 100. They have never looked back since then, moving up in every ranking released to date.

They now find themselves second behind South Africa in the COSAFA region and 12th in Africa. South Africa have dropped one place down in the latest rankings to number 51. The improvement in rankings makes it easier for local players to play in top leagues in the world without necessarily needing to have a certain number of caps for the national team.

Local players have recently started attracting immense interest from foreign teams with scouts, especially from South Africa, coming to Botswana to attend league games and look for talent.

The Zebras' next game is on the 26th of March next year against Chad who are ranked 141st in the world and 39th in Africa.