The Super Eagles of Nigeria dropped nine places to 50th position on the latest FIFA ranking despite defeating Argentina 4-2 in a recent friendly.

Nigeria, which were ranked 41st in the world and 5th in Africa last month, are now 8th on the continent.

The Eagles’ drop comes after they drew 1-1 with Algeria in their final group game of the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign and defeated Argentina 4-2 in an international friendly in Krasnodar, Russia.

Senegal rose to their highest ever position on the ranking to berth at 23rd globally and first in Africa.  The Lions of Teranga’s  rise comes on the back of securing a first World Cup place since 2002. They leapfrogged fellow Russia 2018 qualifiers Tunisia (27th, up 1) and Egypt (31st, down 1).

The ranking’s top five – Germany, Brazil, Portugal, Argentina and Belgium – will be heading to the global finals, and all maintained their positions from the October edition. They will, though, be mindful of Spain looming in the rearview mirror, with La Roja having moved into sixth, passing France and Poland on the way.