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23.10.2014 Sports News

Ghana's Black Stars drop down in latest FIFA world, Africa rankings despite victory

By ghanasoccernet.com
Ghana's Black Stars drop down in latest FIFA world, Africa rankings despite victory
23.10.2014 LISTEN

Ghana have dropped two places on the latest FIFA ranking released for the month of October on Thursday despite defeating Guinea and holding the same opponent in an away qualifying match in the month under review.

The Black Stars also dropped one place in the ranking for Africa as Cape Verde have overtaken the Black Stars following their excellent showing in the qualifiers for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifies.

The 1-1 draw with Guinea in Casablanca and the return leg 3-1 win at the Tamale Sports Stadium in qualifiers ensured the team are now ranked 35th.

However with points supposed to be earned for the victory at home over Guinea and the away draw, Ghana were supposed to have risen in the ranking.

This will be an ammunition for the critics of the FIFA world ranking who have questioned the formula used in deciding the best countries in the world.

In Africa, Algeria remain in charge at the apex and followed by Cote d'Ivoire and Tunisia in that order.

The first three positions in the world are unchanged from last month.

Germany have held on to the top spot despite a difficult start to their UEFA Euro 2016 qualification campaign.

Portugal (9th, up 2) are making their first appearance in the top ten since July and Belgium (4th, up 1) have leapfrogged the Netherlands (5th, down 1) to achieve their highest ranking yet.

Meanwhile former table-toppers Spain (10th, down 2) have slipped down as far as tenth following their defeat against Slovakia (24th, up 16) and Switzerland's (12th, down 2) poor start in the Euro 2016 qualifiers has seen them drop out of the top ten altogether.

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