NIGERIA has climbed to the 40th position in the world in the latest FIFA rankings released by the football body. The three-time African champions garnered 726 points to move up one place in the rankings from 41, which they occupied in March.

The Eagles have continued to retain their stay in the African top 10 for the fifth consecutive month. They have also broken into the top five in the continent as they are now fifth after their 1-1 draw with Senegal in a friendly match in London. Egypt is the best team in Africa after they moved up from 20th in March to 19th.

Senegal is second in Africa with 805 points. However, the Teranga Lions is 30th in the world.

Cameroon is the third-best team in the continent. The African champions, who the Super Eagles will play in World Cup qualifiers in August, dropped from 32 in March to 33.

Burkina Faso is fourth in the continent. They moved up a place from 36 in March to 35. The Democratic Republic of Congo (41) is sixth while Tunisia (42) dropped five places to be placed seventh and Ghana (45) is eighth after dropping two places in the latest rankings.

Ivory Coast (48), which dropped a spot, and Morocco (53), which dropped four places, complete the African top 10.

Brazil, which booked their place in the Russia 2018 World Cup with matches to spare, returned to the summit of the rankings after seven years. The Samba Boys moved from second in March with 1661 points.

Argentina, which were previously on top, are now second while Germany and Chile retained their third and fourth places. Colombia, France, Belgium, Portugal, Switzerland and Spain complete the top 10 in the world.

— Apr 17, 2017 @ 01:00 GMT

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