2017 AFCON: Massive rise in FIFA ranking boosts Rwanda for Saturday's qualifier against Ghana

Rwanda say their massive rise in the latest FIFA ranking will boost their confidence ahead of Saturday's clash with Ghana in Saturday's 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Kigali.

Amavubi have risen to 78th position in the latest Fifa world rankings leaping an impressive 13 places, up from 91st becoming the biggest mover in September.

Rwanda defeated Ethiopia 3-1 in Kigali last Friday with goals from Ernest Sugira, Jacques Tuyisenge and Jean Baptiste Mugiraneza at Amahoro Stadium as Rwanda prepared for the Afcon 2017 qualifier against Ghana on September 5 in Kigali at the same venue.

Rwanda coach Johnny McKinstry said, "It is good to move up. It will hopefully give players a boost ahead of the weekend (against Ghana in the Afcon 2017 qualifier)."

Rwanda is currently ranked 20th in Africa behind neighbours Uganda who moved three places to 71stand are the highest ranked side in the Cecafa region.

Ethiopia sits in 103rd position after going down by four places while Kenya maintained 116th. Burundi (134th), Tanzania (140th), South Sudan (198th), Eritrea (201st), Somalia (202nd) and Djibouti (205th) make up the rest of the Cecafa region.

Ranked 20th in the world, Algeria maintained top spot on the continent with Ivory Coast (21st) and Ghana (27th) maintaining second and third positions in that order.

Argentina maintained top spot on the world rankings with Belgium, Germany and Colombia are in second, third and fourth respectively. England dropped two places to 10th with Wales maintaining ninth position.

Africa

1. Algeria 2. Ivory Coast

3.Ghana

4. Tunisia

5. Senegal

6. Congo

7. Cameroon

8.Egypt

9.Nigeria

10. Cape Verde Islands