Nigeria will end 2015 on a low after the Super Eagles further slumped in the latest FIFA Ranking released on Thursday.
The three-time African champions continued their free fall as they slipped seven places to 66th in the global rankings and 14th in Africa.
It means the Eagles will end a year outside the top 50 in the world for the first time in almost a decade – highlighting a rather frustrating 12 months for the team.
Coach Sunday Oliseh’s side played two games in November – beating Swaziland 2-0 in Port Harcourt and drawing away to the South Africans.
The ranking could well have a huge impact on how African sides are seeded for the next phase of the World Cup qualifiers in June.
As it stands now, Nigeria would be in Pot 3 of the seeded teams, but good enough they have six months to improve on this rating and thereby enhance their chances of qualifying for a sixth World Cup.
Cote d’Ivoire maintain their place as the best footballing nation on the continent, followed by Algeria, Ghana, Cape Verde and Senegal.
Globally, Belgium remain top ahead of nearest rivals Argentina, Spain, world champions Germany and Copa America winners Chile.
World top 10: Belgium, Argentina, Spain, Germany, Chile, Brazil, Portugal, Colombia, England, Austria.
Africa top 10: Cote d’Ivoire, Algeria, Ghana, Cape Verde, Tunisia, Senegal, Congo, Guinea, Egypt, Cameroon.
