Blow for Team Change: Kenya falls to 115 in Fifa rankings

The painful 2017 AFCON defeats to Guinea Bissau have inevitably cost Kenya a third successive drop in the monthly FIFA standings this time by 12 places from 103 to 115 according to the latest Coca-Cola World Rankings.

Kenya’s lacklustre 1-0 away and home losses to the minnows earned Guinea Bissau, who top Group E the 2017 AFCON qualifying, the recognition as the most outstanding performers in terms of positions by rank moving 45 places up to 102.

New Football Kenya Federation (FKF) boss, Nick Mwendwa and his choice of Harambee Stars coach, Stanley Okumbi came under intense heat for the two losses that saw fans riot during the return leg in Nairobi soon after Guinea Bissau scored an 81st minute goal, holding up play for over 30 minutes.

Before the latest rankings, Guinea Bissau were 44 places below Stars with Okumbi criticised for his squad selection and tactics while Mwendwa who swept to power under the ‘Team Change’ banner, was accused of having a heavy hand in the technical arm of the side, having told a local television how the starting line-up of the return fixture would be constituted.

Globally Morocco enjoyed the biggest leap by virtue of points (131).

The 2014 FIFA World Cup runners-up Argentina are the new team at the top, ending Belgium’s five-month-long reign at the summit of football’s world ranking which began when the Red Devils snatched pole position from Argentina back in November 2015.

Chile moved up to third (up two places), Colombia fourth (up four) and Uruguay jump to ninth (up two) to strengthen the South American grip on the top ten.

A total of 171 games have been taken into account for the April edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, which includes 51 qualifiers for Russia 2018, 60 continental qualifiers and 60 international friendlies.

Celebration of firsts

A few teams will celebrate in April having registered their best-ever positions on the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking. Congratulations go to Chile (3rd, up two), Hungary (18th, up one), Northern Ireland (26th, up two), St Kitts and Nevis (92nd, up 29), Chad (97th, up 30), Kyrgyzstan (100th, up five), Guinea-Bissau (102nd, up 45), Belize (114th, up five), Philippines (116th, up 19) and Comoros (159th, up 14).

The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on 5 May 2016.

Sourced from FIFA.com