Harambee Stars record slight drop in FIFA rankings

The Stars lost 1-0 to Ghana in their only match played in the month of March while Tanzania – who sealed their AFCON Finals qualification for the first time in 39 years –  were the biggest moversin Africa with a gain of 6 places.

Uganda dropped two places into 79th on the global ranking that saw the top three remain unchanged.

Leaders Belgium maintained  a slender lead – growing it marginally to three points – over 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia winners France (2nd, unchanged).

Brazil (3rd, unchanged), however, are looking over their shoulders somewhat as England (4th, up 1) leapfrogged World Cup finalists Croatia (5th, down 1).

Uruguay (6th, up 1) are the only other movers within the top ten, whereas a dramatic win for Germany (13th, up 3) saw them overtake defeated opponents the Netherlands (16th, down 2), as well as Sweden (14th, unchanged) and Chile (15th, down 2).

Israel (84th, up  8) enjoyed the biggest jump of all, followed closely by Guatemala (143rd, up 6) and Tanzania (131st, up 6) after the latter booked their CAF Africa Cup of Nations place.

Two other sides preparing to appear at Africa’s showpiece in June, Congo DR (46th, up 5) and Ghana (49th, up 3), were the only two sides to breach the top 50, while Kosovo (127th, plus 3) continued their steady climb up the World Ranking.