Bafana move in right direction

2008-02-13 16:32

Johannesburg - It might be viewed by many as minimal and nothing to shout home about in the overall context of some dramatic advancements by African teams after the recent Nations Cup - but the Fifa world rankings released on Wednesday reflect a move in the right direction for Bafana Bafana with an improved rating of 70th.

In spite of their first round elimination from the tournament in Ghana, draws against Angola and Senegal have helped elevate Bafana eight places from their previous position of 78th.

More significant, however, has been the 29-place improvement of the Nations Cup's third-placed Ghana, which has elevated them to an all-time high 14th place in the world and a status of top team in Africa.

Cameroon, the other African nation now among the top 20 in the world in 17th position, have climbed eight places and 24th-ranked Ivory Coast are up 14 places to 24th in the world.

Under the circumstances, it is surprising that Egypt, who looked the most polished team while retaining their African Nations Cup title in Ghana, are only fourth best-placed in Africa and rated 29th in the world after moving up six places.

South Africa's rating in Africa has also improved marginally from 13th to 12th, but they remain a quantum leap away from the top place Bafana occupied briefly after annexing the Nations Cup in 1996.

And remaining at the top of the pile in the Fifa world rankings are Argentina in number one place, fractionally ahead of Brazil, with world champions Italy in third position.

- SAPA