The Super Falcons of Nigeria have maintained their global standing in the latest FIFA Women’s World Rankings released by the world football governing body on Wednesday.
Ranked 36th in the world, the nine-time African champions remain the highest-ranked women’s national team in Africa, holding firm to their position from the previous rankings in March.
While Nigeria did not climb the ladder this month, the Falcons did make a minor gain in ranking points, inching up from 1622 to 1623, following their 2-0 victory over Cameroon in a recent international friendly.
That win, which saw Rinsola Babajide scoring and celebrating with her father in the stands, provided not only a morale boost but also valuable preparation for the upcoming WAFCON 2024, scheduled to be held in Morocco next month.
Portugal Clash Looms Large
The Super Falcons will look to build on their momentum when they face Portugal in another friendly on June 23. A win against the European side — currently 13 spots above Nigeria in the FIFA rankings — could help close the gap in the next update.
Portugal, who have struggled recently with four consecutive losses, present a key opportunity for the Falcons to gain more ranking points and fine-tune their strategy ahead of the continental showpiece.
All eyes are on the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), where Nigeria will aim to defend their dominance on the continent and claim a historic 10th title. The Super Falcons have been drawn in Group B alongside Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana, with their opening game slated for July 6 against Tunisia.
Meanwhile, Jennifer Echegini is expected to make her much-anticipated WAFCON debut, further strengthening the squad’s midfield options heading into the tournament.
