adminLovemore Dube Senior Sports Editor
ZIMBABWE moved one place down on the Fifa world rankings following their 3-2 defeat to Tanzania in an African Cup of Nations qualifier last Sunday. According to the latest ratings released yesterday, the Warriors are now 99th in the world. In Africa they are 26th, a move which has rendered them not marketable to better placed teams. That guarantees matches that could attract television rights in friendlies and sponsorships. The poor position means Zifa have to battle to get the senior national team opponents for friendlies.
It has not been looking good for Zimbabwe in the last four seasons with the team failing to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup finals which are the targets of all member organisations of Fifa.
Tanzania, who on the other end had come to Zimbabwe as outsiders in the African rankings, enhanced their reputation with a climb from 122 to 113th in the world.
In Africa, Tanzania are 32nd.
World Cup representatives Algeria are at the top of the table on the continent. They are followed by Cote d’Ivoire and Egypt.
Fourth are Ghana who will also be taking part in the World Cup finals with surprise packages Cape Verde well placed at fifth.
Nigeria, Tunisia, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Cameroon fill the other five positions in that order in the top 10.
Former African powerhouse South Africa are 14th with Senegal 15th and Zambia 16th.
Spain retained their top billing going into next week’s World Cup finals.
Brazil are second with Portugal and Argentina third and fourth respectively.
But it is Zimbabwe’s continued slide which should be cause for concern for the Zifa administration.
Online Reporter