FIFA World Ranking: Nigeria ahead of South Africa, Ghana, Jamaica and Croatia

FIFA, the global football governing body, has released its latest monthly world rankings for women's football, with Nigeria's Super Falcons holding steady at 36th place globally.

Despite a challenging performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics in France, the team managed to gain five points since the last update.

The Super Falcons continue to lead the African continent in the rankings, maintaining their position ahead of African champions South Africa.

The Banyana Banyana moved up one spot to 50th in the world, narrowing the gap but still trailing Nigeria significantly.

Other notable African teams in the rankings include Morocco at 59th, Zambia at 62nd (up two spots), and Ghana at 66th (down one spot).

The rankings underscore the competitive nature of women's football in Africa and the ongoing efforts of these nations to improve their standing on the global stage.

At the top of the world rankings, there's been a shake-up following the Paris 2024 Olympics in France.

The United States, who claimed gold in the tournament, have surged four spots to reclaim their position at the summit.

They now lead France and world champions Spain, with Germany and Sweden rounding out the top five.

This latest ranking reaffirms Nigeria's status as a powerhouse in African women's football, despite recent setbacks.

It also highlights the global shifts in the sport, with traditional powers maintaining their positions while emerging nations continue to make strides.

The Super Falcons' ability to hold their rank, even after a disappointing Olympic showing, speaks to their overall consistency and the strength of their program.

As the landscape of women's football continues to evolve, all eyes will be on how Nigeria and other African nations can build on their current standings and challenge the world's elite teams in future competitions.