Kampala, Uganda – East Africa finds itself in familiar territory with the release of the latest FIFA rankings published last week.
With the exception of Rwanda and Tanzania that climbed three and two places respectively, the other nations either dropped places or remained static.
Despite dropping a place in the rankings Uganda remains the highest ranked nation in the region. The Cranes are ranked 87th position in the world and 22nd on the continent.
There was no movement for Kenya as the Harambee Stars maintain their 109th position in the World and 32nd in Africa. They have maintained the position they held in the last rankings released in December 2013, when the Harambee Stars had moved eight places up.
Tanzania’s Taifa Stars on the other hand have climbed two positions in the January edition of the FIFA World rankings and start the year in the 118th position. They also notched up two places on the continent to occupy 34th position in Africa.
Burundi on the other hand maintained its 124th position in the world and 37th on the African continent.
Rwanda though being the biggest mover in the region remains the lowest ranked East African region. The Amavubi Stars climbed three places to occupy the 130th position and also climbed three places on the continent to the 39th position.
There was no movement whatsoever in the top 25. World and European champions Spain top the FIFA rankings for the seventh time in a row followed by Germany. Brazil who host this year’s World Cup finals are in tenth position.
There has been no change at the top of the African charts with Ivory Coast and Ghana staying put at first and second positions respectively. The Ivoirians’ remain the best placed African country, placing at 17 on the World map.
More movement is to be expected in the February edition of the FIFA rankings, which will take into account all the results from the 16- team CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN), which is underway in South Africa. The tournament is exclusive to players based in their home countries.
