Cameroon win two places in FIFA monthly rankings (02.07.2003)
By Martin Etonge in Yaounde
Thanks to their beautiful showing in the ongoing Confederations Cup, the Indomitable Lions have moved two places up the FIFA rankings for the month of June.
Following their lead, Cameroon are blazing a trail up the chart, their wins over Brazil and Turkey. With 691 points, the Lions remain the first African nation and move from 18 to 16 position.
The second African team, Senegal are 12 places below Cameroon. They have 633 points and stand 28th.
Only seven African nations are in the Top 50. The others are Nigeria, 31st up one place with 626 points, South Africa 33 down two places with 619 points, Morocco 37, up one place with 613 points, Egypt 39, up five places with 606 points and Tunisia 42, down two places
with 596 points.
Meantime, world champions still lead the pack, although the gap between Brazil (834 points)and France (814 points)has somewhat wilted in the heat of summertime Paris, Lyon and St.Etienne.
France are closing in fast on Brazil’s number 1 spot, with wins on home soil so far.
Successful results in recent qualification matches have given a boost to a host of other teams as well: Czech Republic (10th, up 3), who were for a long time a regular feature in the Top Ten, are in their best position for almost two years. Greece (33rd, up 12), who returned to the Top 50 only a year ago, show promise of reliving the glory they enjoyed after the 1994 FIFA World Cup USA. Iceland (59th, up 11) and Burkina Faso (72nd, up 11)record some of the biggest moves this month.
