In a remarkable leap, Nigeria’s Super Falcons have surged from 40th to 32nd place in the most recent FIFA Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking, as announced on FIFA’s official website this Friday.
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The rise in rankings comes as a recognition of their standout performance at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand.
Despite being the underdogs in a challenging group, the Falcons, led by Randy Waldrum, displayed resilience and determination throughout the tournament.
Placed alongside powerhouses Australia, Olympic champions Canada, and the debutant Republic of Ireland, Nigeria emerged as the second-placed team behind Australia.
Their journey led them to the round of 16, where they faced a fierce battle against England.
In a tense showdown, the Falcons faced off against an England side that had a player sent off during the game. After 120 minutes of intense football resulting in a goalless draw, the match was ultimately decided by a penalty shootout.
Regrettably, Nigeria fell short, losing 4-2 on penalties, thus concluding their campaign in the first knockout stage. Nonetheless, their outstanding performance earned them the title of the 10th-best team in the tournament.
The impact of Africa’s representation was not limited to Nigeria alone. South Africa, the reigning African women’s champions, surged an impressive nine places to secure the 45th spot in the rankings.
Morocco made a remarkable jump of 14 places, reaching the 58th position, while Zambia also saw an improvement, landing at 69th place.
In a historic turn of events, Sweden, which secured third place in the tournament, attained the top spot in the rankings for the first time, dethroning the USA, which now occupies the third position.
Football enthusiasts can mark their calendars for December 15, 2023, when the next FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking will be unveiled.
As the Super Falcons continue to make strides and garner recognition, the football world eagerly anticipates their future endeavors on the international stage.
