Bafana
Bafana’s good showing in the recently-ended Orange Africa Cup of Nations South
Africa 2013 has seen the team move up an incredible 25 places on the latest
FIFA World Cup rankings released on Thursday, 14 February 2013.
South
Africa has jumped to 60th in the world, while also returning to the top 10 on
the continent.
Bafana
Bafana put up a remarkable performance in the AFCON 2013, reaching the
quarterfinals where they lost to Mali on penalties after both sides were locked
1-1 after extra time.
“This
is a good start for our country, and is certainly in line with our pledge to
see Bafana Bafana in the top three on the continent and top 20 in the world,”
said SAFA President Kirsten Nematandani.
“We
should at this stage congratulate coach Gordon Igesund and his technical team
as well as all the players for this remarkable achievement. We now need to keep
the momentum going so we can climb even higher in the rankings, and this move
has clearly shown that it can be done.”
Under
Igesund, Bafana Bafana have played seven friendly matches - Brazil, Mozambique,
Poland, Kenya, Zambia, Norway and Algeria – as well as four competitive games
in the AFCON 2013 – Cape Verde, Angola, Morocco and Mali.
“We
should also take this opportunity to wish our head coach speedy recovery from
his operation. We hope he will come back stronger to continue with the good
work that he has started,” added Nematandani.
TOP 10 African
countries
1.
Ivory Coast (12th)
2.
Ghana (19th)
3.
Mali (25th)
4.
Nigeria (30th)
5.
Algeria (32nd)
6.
Tunisia (42nd)
7.
Zambia (47th)
8.
Central African Republic (51st)
9.
Burkina Faso (57th)
10. South Africa
(60th)
AFCON
2013 champions Nigeria have risen 22 places to 30th in the world and fourth on
the continent.
AFCON
2013 finalists Burkina Faso were the biggest movers - up 37 places to ninth in
Africa and 57th overall.
Spain
still tops the world rankings.
