Bafana soar in FIFA rankings

Zurich - Bafana Bafana’s performance at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has seen them jump 25 places in the FIFA world rankings.

African champions Nigeria have risen 22 places in the latest rankings, which are led by World Cup champions Spain.

Nigeria moved up to No 30 after their victory over Burkina Faso in the African Cup of Nations final. Burkina Faso rose 37 spots to No 55.

Spain lead an unchanged top three ahead of Germany and Argentina. Fourth-place England climbed two places after beating 18th-ranked Brazil in a friendly last week. Italy dropped to No 5.

The top ranked African country is No 12 Ivory Coast, who lost to Nigeria in the quarter-finals.

Top 20 FIFA rankings:

1. Spain
2. Germany
3. Argentina
4. England
5. Italy
T6. Colombia
T6 Portugal
8. Netherlands
9. Croatia
10. Russia
11. Greece
T12. Ivory Coast
T12. Ecuador
14. Switzerland
15. Mexico
16. Uruguay
17. France
18. Brazil
19. Ghana
20. Belgium

Top 10 African countries:

1. Ivory Coast (12th)
2. Ghana (19th)
3. Mali (25th)
4. Nigeria (30th)
5. Algeria (32nd)
6. Tunisia (42nd)
7. Zambia (47th)
8. Central African Republic (51st)
9. Burkina Faso (57th)
10. South Africa (60th)