Super Falcons, Banyana Top Africa in FIFA Women’s Rankings

In the latest FIFA women’s world rankings, Nigeria’s Super Falcons and South Africa’s Banyana Banyana have been recognized as the top two ranked teams in Africa. Despite a slight drop, the Super Falcons have fallen two places to 36th in the global rankings but remain the leading African team. This ranking comes after their aggregate victory over Cameroon, propelling them to the final round of qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games.

Randy Waldrum’s team, despite dropping 11.18 points since the December rankings, has maintained an impressive unbeaten streak in regulation time across thirteen consecutive matches. This streak includes victories over teams such as Australia, Haiti, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Ethiopia, Cape Verde, and Cameroon, along with draws against Canada, the Republic of Ireland, and England.

Following Nigeria in the African rankings is South Africa’s Banyana Banyana, setting the stage for a highly anticipated two legged Olympic qualifier between the continent’s top teams next month. The top ten African teams also include Morocco, Ghana, Zambia, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Tunisia, Mali, and Equatorial Guinea.

Globally, Spain leads the FIFA women’s world rankings, followed by England, France, the United States, and Germany. The next update to the FIFA/Coca Cola Women’s World Ranking is scheduled for June 14, 2024.

Editorial

The latest FIFA women’s world rankings underscore the dynamic and competitive nature of women’s football in Africa, with the Super Falcons of Nigeria and Banyana Banyana of South Africa leading the charge. This distinction not only highlights the talent and hard work of these teams but also sets the stage for their upcoming Olympic qualifier, promising a showcase of African football’s best.

The Super Falcons’ slight drop in the rankings should not overshadow their recent achievements and the resilience they’ve shown on the international stage. Their unbeaten run in thirteen matches is a testament to their quality and determination, qualities that will be crucial in their quest for Olympic qualification.

As African teams continue to make their mark on the global stage, the importance of support, investment, and development in women’s football becomes increasingly evident. The achievements of the Super Falcons and Banyana Banyana should serve as a call to action for stakeholders across the continent to elevate the game further, ensuring that African teams can compete with the best in the world.

Did You Know?

• The FIFA women’s world rankings are updated several times a year, providing a global benchmark for comparing the relative strengths of women’s national football teams.
• Nigeria’s Super Falcons are the most successful team in the history of the Africa Women Cup of Nations, having won the tournament eleven times.
• South Africa’s Banyana Banyana reached the final of the Africa Women Cup of Nations in 2018 and 2022, showcasing their growing prowess in women’s football.
• The Olympic women’s football tournament has become one of the sport’s premier events, featuring the world’s top national teams competing for gold.
• Spain’s rise to the top of the FIFA women’s world rankings reflects their recent success in international competitions, including winning the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.