The Super Falcons of Nigeria have maintained their dominance in African women’s football, retaining their position as the continent’s best team in the latest FIFA rankings released on Thursday.
Despite their inactivity since December 2023, the nine-time Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) champions remain 36th in the global standings, showing resilience ahead of upcoming competitions.
Nigeria Holds Strong as Africa’s Best
Nigeria continues to lead the pack in African women’s football, with reigning WAFCON champions South Africa trailing in second place.
However, South Africa suffered a drop in the global rankings, slipping four places to 54th. Morocco, who impressed at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, is ranked third in Africa and 60th worldwide, while Zambia fell two places to 64th but still holds the fourth position on the continent.
The latest rankings come as teams prepare for the 2024 WAFCON tournament, which will be held in Morocco from July 25 to August 26.
The Super Falcons will be looking to reclaim their title after finishing fourth in the last edition in 2022. However, rivals South Africa, Morocco, and Zambia will be eager to challenge Nigeria’s dominance.
Global Rankings: United States Still on Top
On the global stage, the United States remains the number one-ranked women’s football team, followed closely by Spain, the reigning FIFA Women’s World Cup champions. Germany and England maintain their third and fourth positions, respectively, while Japan climbed to fifth place, pushing Sweden down to sixth.
France, Canada, Brazil, and North Korea complete the top ten, with the rankings showing minimal movement at the highest level of international women’s football. These countries have consistently performed at major tournaments, and their positions reflect their dominance in the sport.
The Super Falcons’ Legacy and Path Forward
The Super Falcons have long been the powerhouse of women’s football in Africa. Since the inception of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria has won the tournament a record nine times, setting the standard for women’s football on the continent.
However, recent years have seen increased competition from other African teams, particularly South Africa and Morocco, who have improved significantly and posed a strong challenge to Nigeria’s reign.
With WAFCON 2024 fast approaching, Nigeria will be keen to prove that they remain the top force in African women’s football.
The team has faced challenges, including coaching changes, player disputes, and financial struggles, but their resilience and talent have kept them at the pinnacle of the sport.
Players like Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade, and Onome Ebi will be instrumental in the team’s quest for another title.
Other Notable Movements in Africa
Several African teams saw significant movement in the latest rankings. Kenya recorded one of the biggest jumps on the continent, climbing seven places to 142nd, while Tunisia suffered the steepest decline, dropping 11 spots to 89th after losing 43.79 ranking points.
Meanwhile, Djibouti achieved their highest-ever ranking, moving up to 195th place.
Beyond Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco, and Zambia, teams like Cameroon, Ghana, and Ivory Coast are also vying to break into the upper echelons of African women’s football.
With investment in grassroots football and better league structures, the competition on the continent is expected to intensify in the coming years.
What’s Next for the Super Falcons?
With the next FIFA Women’s World Ranking set to be released on June 12, 2024, the Super Falcons will be hoping to climb higher in the standings ahead of the highly anticipated WAFCON tournament.
Their performance in upcoming international fixtures and preparations for the continental showdown will be crucial in determining whether they can extend their dominance in Africa and improve their global standing.
Additionally, Nigeria will need to focus on nurturing young talent to ensure continued success in the future.
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has been encouraged to invest more in the women’s game, particularly in youth development programs and professional league structures that will allow players to compete at the highest level.
The Super Falcons’ consistency in remaining Africa’s top team is a testament to their legacy, but with emerging footballing nations on the continent making significant strides, they must remain vigilant and continue to improve.
As the team gears up for WAFCON 2024, all eyes will be on them to see whether they can reclaim their title and maintain their stronghold on African women’s football.
