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ZURICH, February 15, 2012 (Reuters)
Zambia have shot up 28 places in the FIFA rankings, breaking into the top 50 for the first time in eleven years after winning the African Nations Cup on Sunday.
The Chipolopolo (The Copper Bullets) moved into 43rd spot, their highest position since February 2001, after beatingIvory Coaston penalties following a goalless final inLibreville.
Despite losing the decider,Ivory Coastclimbed three places to 15th and are the continent’s highest-placed team. The Elephants did not concede a goal in the tournament.
Mali, who finished third, moved up 25 places to 44th, one ahead of co-hostsGabon, who leapt 46 places after reaching the quarter-finals with wins overNigerandMorocco.
Fellow co-hosts Equatorial Guinea, a team made up largely of Spanish lower league players, leapt from 151st to 110th after surpassing all expectations by reaching the quarter-finals.
Spainstayed top of the rankings whileGermanymoved up to second andNetherlandsdropped to third even though neither side played a game in the last month.
FIFA said the change was “due to the devaluation of matches from previous years.”
Similarly,Brazildropped to seventh andPortugalmoved up to sixth whileArgentinadropped out of the top ten, losing their place toDenmark.
Rankings (last month’s positions in brackets)
1. (1)Spain
2. (3)Germany
3. (2)Netherlands
4. (4)Uruguay
5. (5)England
6. (7)Portugal
7. (6) Brazil
8. (9) Italy
9. (8) Croatia
10.(11) Denmark
