2017 AFCON: Ghana group opponents Rwanda makes huge improvement in FIFA rankings

Published on: 11 July 2015
2017 AFCON: Ghana group opponents Rwanda makes huge improvement in FIFA rankings
Ghana will play Rwanda in their next qualifiers

Ghana's opponents in their next 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Rwanda, has jumped 16 places in the latest FIFA world football rankings.

The Black Stars will travel to face the Amavubi in Kigali in September in the second round of qualifying matches for Group H.

The meteoric rise of the Rwandans is a firm indication that they pose an immediate threat to the Ghanaians who are tipped as the group favourites.

94th in the previous month, Rwanda rose to 78th with 433 points because of defeating Mozambique 1-0 away in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Ghana, Mozambique and Mauritius, Rwanda's next opponents in the Group H Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers ranked 25th, 95th, and 180th respectively.

The huge improvement for Rwanda comes after a three match unbeaten run since June including a goalless draw against Kenya, a 2-0 win over Tanzania in Genocide Memorial Tournament and the 1-0 away win to Mozambique in the 2017 AFCON Gabon qualifiers.

Amavubi rose to record 64th place in March.

Despite dropping by two slots, Uganda ranks 73rd to maintain the lead spot in the CECAFA region ahead of Rwanda (78), Ethiopia (101), Kenya (116), Burundi (131), Tanzania (139) and South Sudan (195).

In Africa, Algeria still leads while it stands in the 19th position in world ranking while reigning African champions Ivory Coast are second on the continent and 21st globally.

Ghana and Tunisia rank 25th and 32nd to complete the continent's top four.

Copa America 2015 beaten finalists Argentina have dethroned reigning world champions Germany at the top of the world ranking with the Germans dropping to second while Belgium, Colombia and Netherlands complete the top five.

Gareth Bale's Wales are in the top ten for the first time in their history in 10th place. Record five-time world champions Brazil are sixth, England ninth, Copa America champions Chile are 11th, 2010 world champions Spain are 12th while France stumbled to 22nd position.

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