CAIRO: The Egyptian national football team jumped into the top 10 of FIFA’s – the world football governing body – recent rankings published on Wednesday, marking the first time the African nation has made it this high. Nigera followed Egypt as the second highest ranked African nation, moving up 7 spots to take the 15th position.

Egypt received a boost after winning their third-straight African Cup of Nations on Sunday in Angola. They haven’t lost in the African continental championship since 2004.

Nigeria’s ranking was also boosted by their third place finish in the tournament.

Ironically, Egypt is the only top ranking nation not to make it to the World Cup this summer in South Africa.

Other top ranking African teams include Cameroon, which fell nine places to number 20, and Cote d’Ivoire, which is now ranked 22nd after falling six places.

Nations Cup runners-up, Ghana rose seven places to the 27th position in the world, while Algeria went down five spots to 31. Gabon is now ranked 44, after climbing four places to complete the number of teams from Africa in the top 50.

2010 World Cup host, South Africa, is ranked 81st in the world, with Malawi and Mozambique coming close behind at 82 and 83.

Meanwhile, Spain kept the top spot in the rankings. The United States was unchanged at No. 14, leading the CONCACAF nations. Mexico followed at 17.

European champion, Spain, is followed by Brazil and Netherlands. World champion, Italy, is fourth and Portugal is fifth.

The top nine was unchanged after only No. 8, Argentina, played in the past month, beating Costa Rica 3-2 in a friendly match.

BM

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