Nigeria’s Super Eagles have ended the year 2024 with their lowest FIFA ranking in six years, sitting in 44th place in the latest rankings released on Thursday. The team’s position marks a significant drop after a tough year, especially following a home defeat to Rwanda in November during the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The Super Eagles finished 2024 with 1482.23 points, remaining in 44th place globally and 5th in Africa. Their performance in the past year has been a mixed one, with the team winning nine matches, drawing four, and losing five. Despite this, their overall ranking has taken a hit, largely due to poor results in crucial qualifying matches.
Ironically, Nigeria had a strong start to 2024 when they reached the final of the delayed 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire. However, this positive achievement didn’t carry through the rest of the year, as the Super Eagles struggled in other competitions.
Morocco remains the highest-ranked African team, holding 14th place globally. Senegal is second in Africa, ranking 17th overall. Following them, Egypt, Algeria, and Nigeria occupy the top five positions in Africa.
The full list of the top 10 African teams includes:
Morocco
Senegal
Egypt
Algeria
Nigeria
Ivory Coast
Cameroon
Mali
Tunisia
South Africa
While the Super Eagles secured their place in the 2025 AFCON in Morocco by topping their qualifying group, their World Cup qualifying campaign has been disappointing. They have yet to win any of their four matches in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and are currently second from the bottom in their group. This poor start to the World Cup qualifiers has contributed significantly to their drop in the global rankings.
With the year ending on a low note, the Super Eagles will look to improve their form and climb back up the rankings in 2025 as they continue their preparations for the upcoming major tournaments.
