/ 21 September 2011

Bafana, England drop in Fifa world rankings

South Africa and England have dropped four places to 51st and 8th respectively in the latest Fifa world rankings.

South Africa have dropped four places to 51st position in the latest Fifa world rankings released on Wednesday.

It is Bafana Bafana’s lowest rating, and the first time they have dropped out of the top 50, since January.

Their latest ranking also sees the South Africans drop two places to ninth on the African continent.

Bafana had risen to 38th position in May — their highest ranking in seven years — after successive victories over Kenya, Egypt and Tanzania.

Despite drawing 0-0 against traditional powerhouse Egypt in Cairo, and defeating Burkina Faso 3-0 in Johannesburg, they slipped down the rankings due to relative inactivity.

A 2-1 loss to Niger in an Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier in Niamey earlier this month saw them slide even further down the global list.

South Africa face Sierra Leone in a crucial Afcon qualifier in Nelspruit in October.

Spain top, England drop
England have dropped four places to 8th in the latest Fifa rankings released on Wednesday with Uruguay, Portugal, Italy and Brazil overhauling Fabio Capello’s side in standings based on results over a four-year timeframe.

World and European champions Spain have meanwhile leapfrogged Holland to take back top spot following a friendly win over Chile and a Euro 2012 drubbing of Liechtenstein.

Germany remain in third place with July’s Copa America champions Uruguay fourth.

The Dutch had taken top spot in August after Spain had held the position for over a year prior to a friendly loss to Italy which allowed Holland to become, albeit briefly, the seventh team to occupy the top spot since rankings were created after Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

Brazil slipped one place to seventh despite a recent friendly win over Ghana and a goalless draw with neighbours Argentina.

France, not seeded for the World Cup qualifiers after a recent slump but now unbeaten in 13 matches, are up to 12th, their best placing under Laurent Blanc, who took charge after last year’s disastrous World Cup showing.

Further down the list, Wales are back in the top 100, up 27 places to 90th after their Euro 2012 qualifying win over Montenegro. — Sapa, AFP

Fifa world ranking (change in brackets):

  1. Spain (+1)
  2. Netherlands (-1)
  3. Germany
  4. Uruguay (+1)
  5. Portugal (+3)
  6. Italy (+1)
  7. Brazil (-1)
  8. England (-4)
  9. Croatia (+1)
  10. Argentina (-1)
  11. Greece (+3)
  12. France (+3)
  13. Russia
  14. Chile (-3)
  15. Japan