Tag: AFCON 2025

  • Falcons retain Africa’s top spot, 36th in global rankings

    Falcons retain Africa’s top spot, 36th in global rankings

    The Super Falcons are unmoved in the latest FIFA rankings released on Thursday, retaining their status as Africa’s best women’s football team and 36th in the world, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

    The inactivity of the nine-time African champions between December and now didn’t affect their position on the continent and on the global stage even as their African rivals dropped a few places.

    Reigning WAFCON champions South Africa are second in Africa behind Nigeria but they are 18 places below the Falcons globally after dropping four spots in the global rankings to the 54th position.

    Morocco completed the continent’s top three, sitting in 60th place worldwide, while Zambia dropped two places to 64th but remain the fourth-best in Africa.

    The latest rankings come a few months before the 2024 WAFCON tournament which will be played from July 25 to 26 in Morocco.

    At the next championship, the Super Falcons will hope to win a 10th title after placing fourth at the last edition in 2022.

    The likes of South Africa, Morocco and Zambia will be eager to deny Nigeria another continental title.

    Globally, the United States continue to lead the standings, with reigning world champions Spain in second.

    Germany and England retain third and fourth places, while Japan climb to fifth, pushing Sweden down to sixth.

    Elsewhere, Kenya recorded one of the biggest gains on the continent, jumping seven places to 142nd, while Tunisia endured the steepest fall, dropping 11 spots to 89th after losing 43.79 points. Djibouti achieved their highest-ever ranking, climbing to 195th position.

    The next FIFA women’s world ranking will be released on June 12, with the Super Falcons aiming to climb higher ahead of the highly anticipated WAFCON tournament.

  • Eguavoen Vows Super Eagles Will Go All Out in AFCON Qualifying Double-Header Against Libya

    Eguavoen Vows Super Eagles Will Go All Out in AFCON Qualifying Double-Header Against Libya

    Augustine Eguavoen, caretaker coach of the Super Eagles, has expressed confidence in his team’s ability to secure maximum points in their upcoming double-header against Libya in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

    A win in both matches would ensure Nigeria’s qualification for the AFCON 2025 finals, to be held in Morocco.

    Currently sitting at the top of Group D with four points from two games, Eguavoen emphasized the importance of early qualification to avoid any last-minute pressure in the qualifying campaign.

    “We have to be practical about it: our best and surest route to the finals will be to pick up the six points in the matches with Libya, and be somewhat guaranteed of a place in Morocco even before Matchday 5. We don’t want to be in any anxiety in the run-in of this qualifying campaign,” Eguavoen told the NFF website.

    Though the Super Eagles will be without star striker Victor Osimhen, who is sidelined with an injury, Eguavoen remains confident in the team’s other attacking options.

    “I admit we will miss Victor (Osimhen), but I believe in the other strikers available to get us the goals that will give us the three points in Uyo, and the three points in Libya,” he added.