Zebras move up FIFA rankings

BOITUMELO KHUTSAFALO
Staff Writer | Thursday March 8, 2012 00:00

This is despite the fact that the Zebras have been inactive since returning from Gabon-Equatorial Guinea where they took part in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.

Zebras lie in position 100 in the world and 23rd in Africa.

The latest rankings come just a week after the FIFA international date where many countries were involved in international friendly matches while others played in the preliminaries of the qualifiers for next year's AFCON finals in South Africa. The Zebras, however, failed to take advantage of the date, despite reports that Egypt were willing to host the African team of the year. 

Africa has the biggest climbers this month with the 13 winners in the second round matches of 2013 AFCON qualifiers all securing most points. Congo moved up 29 places to position 101 as well as Chad who moved to position 112 in the world. S‹o Tom and Pr’ncipe moved up 53 places to position 115 in the world. They are currently in their highest-ever position since the introduction of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings. Spain remain the highest ranked team in the world. Netherlands moved one place up and are once again Spain's closest challengers thanks to their 3-2 victory in England. Germany moved to third after their 2-1 defeat to France.

Argentina have returned to the top 10 after a one-month absence, pushing Denmark out of the coveted position in the process.

In Asia, ten matches in the third round of the preliminary competition for the 2014 FIFA World Cup have left their mark. Uzbekistan (67th, up 10 places) sensationally defeated Japan (33rd, down three places) 1-0 to claim top spot in their group, and they now head into round four defending an unbeaten record.

Korea Republic (30th, up four places) have also benefited from Japan's slip-up to surge past the Samurai Blue for the first time since 2004, whereas Australia (20th, up two places) have also returned to the top 20 thanks to their high-scoring 4-2 victory over Saudi Arabia. The next FIFA/Coca-Cola Ranking will be released on April 11.