Africa's top 20 revealed Nigeria were impressive in their last two World Cup qualifying matches against Cameroon in Uyo and Yaounde but that has not paid off in the latest FIFA rankings set to be announced by the governing body of football on Thursday.

The Super Eagles have fallen six spots and are now ranked 44th in the global ranking after losing 1-0 to Benin Republic in an African Nations Championship qualifier, a game classed as a 'friendly' by Fifa.

However, the national team made slight progress in the continental ranking, improving one spot to fifth ahead of African champions Cameroon.Egypt retained their number one spot in Africa, followed by Tunisia, Senegal and Congo DR.

Our rivals to book a ticket to the 2018 World Cup, Algeria and Zambia, are placed 62nd and 79th respectively in the global ranking.Germany have vaulted over Brazil as the best ranked nation; Portugal, Argentina and Belgium round up the top five.

Africa's Top 20 Teams

1) Egypt

2) Tunisia

3) Senegal

4) Congo DR

5) Nigeria

6) Cameroon

7) Burkina Faso

8) Ghana

9) Ivory Coast

10) Morocco

11) Algeria

12)Guinea

13) Cape Verde

14) Uganda

15) South Africa

16) Mali

17) Zambia

18) Gabon

19) Libya

20) Kenya

Reports by Miyen Akiri