Following an impressive outing at the just concluded 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, Nigeria’s Super Falcons have achieved their highest FIFA ranking after Monday’s official release, Prime Business Africa reports.
Prior to the World Cup, the nine-time African champions were the least ranked side in Group B that contained Canada (Olympics champions), Australia (co-hosts) and debutants, Republic of Ireland, in 40th position.
They are also the top ranked team on the African continent.
The Falcons qualified for the World Cup after finishing in 4th place at the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations in Morocco last year but has toppled other African countries whose flags were flown at the World Cup.
Randy Waldrum’s team held Canada to a goalless draw, then beat Australia 3-2 and recorded another scoreless draw against Republic of Ireland.
In the round of 16, they played out a goalless draw against European champions, England after 120 minutes of spellbinding game but in the ensuing penalty shootout after the extra time, the Three Lionesses triumphed 4-2.
FIFA has meticulously ranked the participating teams based on their performance. However, there’s a twist in this ranking method.
Teams that were eliminated at the same stage of the competition are evaluated based on the circumstances of their elimination.
The Super Falcons’ feat stands out prominently, as the Super Falcons not only outperformed numerous other teams but also secured a higher ranking than football giants Germany, Brazil, Portugal, and Italy.
The top 10 teams in the Women’s World Cup rankings showcase champions Spain at the pinnacle, followed by England, Sweden, Australia, Japan, France, the Netherlands, Colombia, the USA and Nigeria making up the list.
Support Investigative Journalism and Mentorship
Courageous Journalism of Truth,Transparency and Development is in the DNA of Prime Business Africa; By donating as little as N1000 or $1 today, you are helping to keep credible journalism and life-changing information free for all.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
