The three-time African champions were last month rated the 34th best team in the world following their international friendly against Ukraine which ended 2-2.

However rather than climb the ranking table or remain at same position the Eagles ranking slumped slightly despite the 1-1 draw on 13 October against Brazil in another high profile international friendly in Singapore.

The Eagles who will start their qualification campaign for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in November are still third on the African continent behind 20th ranked Senegal and 29th ranked Tunisia.

Algeria (38th), Morocco (42nd), Egypt (49th), Ghana (51st), Cameroon (52nd), Congo DR (54th) and Côte d'Ivoire (56th) complete the top ten teams in Africa in that order.

The next FIFA ranking will be released on 28 November 2019.

Izuchukwu Okosi