Nigeria Super Eagles have slipped in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking released on Thursday for the month of October.
The three-time African champions dropped seven spots to 59th in the world – meaning they move out of the top 10 to 12th on the continent.
Coach Sunday Oliseh’s team played two international friendly games last month in Belgium – losing 2-0 against the Democratic Republic of Congo and thrashing the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon 3-0.
The team has now paid the penalty for that defeat to the DR Congo with the Leopards moving five places to 55th in the world and 10th in Africa.
Ivory Coast remains the top football nation on the continent, followed by the Desert Foxes of Algeria, Ghana, Cape Verde and the Terenga Lions of Senegal.
Tunisia, Cameroon, Congo, Guinea and DRC make up the top 10 teams in Africa while the Pharoahs of Egypt are 11th.
Belgium moved to the top of the FIFA Rankings for the first time in their history after they leapfrogged Argentina who are now third.
Germany retained the second-spot, with Portugal and Chile completing the top five in the world.
The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be announced on December 3, 2015.
