FIFA ranking • Ghana Moves Up Again

The consistent showing of Ghana's Black Stars since their first appearance at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and the 4-1 trouncing of Nigeria last month has shot them up in the latest world rankings.

The March edition of the FIFA rankings released yesterday placed Ghana at the 19th position, making her the second best African country in the first 20, just behind Cameroun who are 18th and ahead of fellow World Cup debutantes, Cote d'Ivoire, who are 20th.

This is the first time in more than a decade and a half that Ghana has been ranked among the first 20 teams in the world.

The first time was in the mid-90s when the nation was ranked 18th during the Nana Sam Brew Butler administration.

Argentina, who beat France in their last friendly encounter last month, has overtaken world champions, Italy, at the summit pushing Brazil to the third position.

Apart from Brazil and Italy, there were no changes from the fourth to 17th positions occupied by France, Germany, England, Netherlands, Portugal, The Czech Republic, Spain, Ukraine and Croatia in that order.

Greece, Romania, Sweden, Scotland, Switzerland complete the list of the top 20.

Nigeria, who lost their position in the top 20 last month, however, retained their fifth position in Africa and 36th position in the world. Mali are currently fourth in Africa and 35th in the world.

African champions, Egypt, moved a step up to the 41st position.