Flames five steps down
Smarting from a four-game winless streak in all competitions this year, the Flames have tumbled five places on both African and world charts, according to the latest Fifa rankings.
The Flames are now 27th in Africa and 107th in the world, indicates the monthly rankings released on Wednesday on www.fifa.com
Malawi, who drew 0-0 in Kenya in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday, are fourth in the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) whose leaders are reigning Africa champions, Zambia.
There could be a reversal of the downward spiral on the rankings from next month if the Flames beat the highly ranked Nigeria this Saturday at Kamuzu Stadium, hoped captain Peter Mponda on Wednesday from his South Africa base before he was cleared for the Flames camp.
“I don’t think we should fear them like we did last time (2003). We should respect them, but I don’t think this Nigeria can beat us. Save for the 1-0 defeat by Burkina Faso, we have not lost at home in four years. We have contained stronger opposition such as Egypt and Cote d’Ivoire. This Nigeria is average,” said the Santos defender through e-mail.
Nigeria’s 1-0 win over Namibia on Sunday, has translated into a three-place climb to 11th position in Africa and 60th in the world.
Strength of opposition conquered earns more points for the rankings. Malawi can also consolidate its ground on the rankings if they defeat Chad next weekend in a return leg of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the giant arena.
A further picture of the June ratings indicate that the neighbouring Chipolopolo, having lost 2-0 in Saturday World Cup qualifier in Sudan, have dropped by six steps to position 43 on the world bar, but they are sixth in Africa.
Cote d’Ivoire remain Africa’s number one team, but are now 16th in the world. Ghana are second in Africa and 25th in the world. They are followed by Algeria (32), Libya (42) and Mali (43), making up the top five.
World Cup holders, Spain, cling to the summit of the world chart whereas runners-up Netherlands have slipped to fourth as Uruguay have climbed to second. Germany occupy the third slot while Brazil are fifth.
“Among the teams managing to make significant leaps within the top 50 are Algeria (32nd, up 6), Tunisia (46th, up 10) and Egypt (48th, up 9), who have all benefited from strong performances in the World Cup qualifiers, while Japan (23rd), Scotland (41st) and Iran (45th) have all climbed seven places each,” reads www.fifa.com
“A total of 115 matches have been taken into account for the current edition of the Fifa/Coca-Cola World Ranking, 28 of which were Brazil 2014 qualifiers and the remaining 87 friendlies.”
FAST FACTS
—Malawi has never beaten Super Eagles
—Malawi lost to Nigeria 1-0 in 2003. Then, Nigeria was 3rd in Africa and 30th in the world while Malawi was 21st in Africa and 99th in the world.
