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According to the latest rankings released yesterday, Zimbabwe moved into 86th place on the world rankings but remained unchanged on the African ratings where they are still the 21st best team on the continent.
Norman Mapeza’s men are tied on the continental ratings with the Squirrels of Benin, who have also moved one place up the ladder.
Zimbabwe and Benin have amassed 380 points during the period under review.
The Warriors registered their biggest jump last month when they moved a massive 39 places up the ladder on the back of an important 2-1 victory over Mali in June.
Mapeza’s men, however, stand a chance of continuing their glide towards Africa’s top 10 if they beat old rivals Zambia in an international friendly pencilled in for Rufaro on August 10.
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The Warriors are meeting Chipolopolo as part of their preparations for their African Nations Cup Group A qualifier against Liberia at home on September 4.
Liberia are ranked 125th in the world and 32nd in Africa while Cape Verde who top the Group A standings are in Africa’s top 20.
The islanders are placed 20th in Africa and just a place above the Warriors in the world.
Mali, who have 416 points, are also just a rung above Cape Verde on the world rankings and 19th in Africa.
That Cape Verde, Mali and Zimbabwe are separated by just a place each on the world and African rankings also probably explains the close race for the Group A ticket in which any of the four teams could win the automatic ticket to the 2012 Nations Cup being co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
Cape Verde lead the Group A standings with seven points, Mali are second on six points while Zimbabwe lie third with five points and Liberia anchor the standings with four points.
West African giants Cote d’Ivoire remain the best team on the continent with 922 points and are 14th in the world.
Despite a poor run of form in the 2012 Nations Cup qualifiers, defending champions Egypt occupy second place in Africa with 735 points and are 35th in the world.
Ghana’s Black Stars, the best African team at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, dropped three places on the world rankings but remain the third best African side.
Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Cameroon, Algeria and Tunisia complete Africa’s top 10 teams.
World and European champions Spain remain at the apex of the rankings while 2010 World Cup runners-up Netherlands are second ahead of third-placed Germany, Brazil and new Copa America kings Uruguay who climbed 13 places with England dropping two places into sixth.
Online Reporter