FIFA Ranking: Black Stars creep into top 50

The Black Stars of Ghana have moved three places up to 49th place, creeping into the top 50 nations of the latest Coca-Cola FIFA Ranking released on Thursday.

The Stars gained nine points after defeating Kenya and Mauritania in respective AFCON qualifier and friendly against Kenya and Mauritania.

The Stars defeated Kenya 1-0 courtesy a Caleb Ekuban strike at the Accra Sports Stadium and followed it up with a 3-1 win over Mauritania at the same venue.

They were ranked 51st in the March ranking.

Congo DR (46th, up 5) and Ghana (49th, up 3), were the only two sides to breach the top 50, while Kosovo (127th, plus 3) continued their steady climb up the World Ranking.

While there were 150 games played across the globe during the international period, things remain tight at the top of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking as the top three remained unchanged.

This sees Belgium (1st, unchanged) maintain a slender lead – growing it marginally to three points – over 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ winners France (2nd, unchanged). Brazil (3rd, unchanged), however, are looking over their shoulders somewhat as England (4th, up 1) leapfrogged World Cup finalists Croatia (5th, down 1).

Uruguay (6th, up 1) are the only other movers within the top ten, whereas a dramatic win for Germany (13th, up 3) saw them overtake defeated opponents the Netherlands (16th, down 2), as well as Sweden (14th, unchanged) and Chile (15th, down 2).

Israel (84th, up 8) enjoyed the biggest jump of all, followed closely by Guatemala (143rd, up 6) and Tanzania (131st, up 6) after the latter booked their CAF Africa Cup of Nations place.