Gambia move higher in FIFA rankings

The Gambia has made a significant move to 98 positions, eighteen position higher than its last record in the just concluded year on the latest FIFA/Coca Cola World Ranking, according to its yesterday's release.

The Scorpions who are now 22 in Africa, one place behind Senegal have also beat its last record of 32 in Africa.

The Scorpions successful recent friendly internationals ahead of the African Cup of Nations have helped in gaining more points in the rankings.  Paul Put led The Gambia to a 1-1 draw with host Angola and a 2-1 win over Tunisia in Tunis.

Reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions Egypt climbed 14 places to be among the top ten teams in the world and Africa's number one. Spain continued to occupy the top spot of the latest FIFA/Coca Cola World Ranking, ahead of Brazil and the Netherlands. The Pharaohs lie at the tenth position.

According to FIFA, this is not only Egypt's highest-ever position in the ranking, but also the second highest of any African team since the introduction of the ranking. "They have only been bettered by Nigeria, who reached fifth place in April 1994."
The world football governing body said the Orange African Cup of Nations had a major impact on this month's rating.
Other African teams also benefited from their performances in Angola. In the upper echelons of the ranking, semi-finalists Nigeria moved seven places up to be at the 15th spot worldwide to become Africa's second best and finalists Ghana (27th world wide and 5th in Africa, up 7) made considerable strides. Further down the ranking, Zambia (73rd, up 11) and Malawi (82nd, up 17)