Bafana Bafana
Bafana slip down the rankings
2011-09-21 18:40
Johannesburg - South Africa have dropped four places to 51st position in the latest FIFA world rankings released on Wednesday.
It is Bafana Bafana's lowest rating - and the first time they have dropped out of the top 50 - since January.
“We have to accept what is happening, especially as it has to do with our last three matches where we won one, drew one and lost one to Egypt, Burkina Faso and Niger respectively," said Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane.
Their latest ranking also sees the South Africans drop two places to ninth on the African continent.
"Going down the rankings is not good, we are aware that it has a lot to do with our loss to Niger and it’s understandable. It’s not a great situation to find ourselves in and we know we just have to win our next matches to rectify matters," said Mosimane.
Bafana had risen to 38th position in May - their highest ranking in seven years - after successive victories over Kenya, Egypt and Tanzania.
Despite drawing 0-0 against traditional powerhouse Egypt in Cairo, and defeating Burkina Faso 3-0 in Johannesburg, they slipped down the rankings due to relative inactivity.
A 2-1 loss to Niger in an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier in Niamey earlier this month saw them slide even further down the global list.
South Africa face Sierra Leone in a crucial AFCON qualifier in Nelspruit in October.
"At the moment our attention is on our next match against Sierra Leone so we can qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations and once we achieve that we know that we can fight to reclaim our position on the rankings.”