Stars mark time in FIFA rankings

Taifa Stars

Taifa Stars are still glued at 106th position according to the latest FIFA rankings released yesterday.

The Tanzania national soccer team has failed to make any significant move above the ladder after disastrous performance in their three-match ad hoc entourage of Middle East last month.

The national team now end the year with triple digit figure mark after a brief stay in the mid 90s during June and July.

Inactivity, poor performance and the crash out of the team from potential 2010 African Nations and World Cup qualifiers have been some of the reasons for the resultant poor ranking on global stage.

Coach Marcio Maximo needs to work above the call of duty to host a number of international friendlies between now and February when FIFA would release another reviewed standings.

Probably next month’s friendly international against visiting Cote d’Ivoire can be of any useful importance for the Maximo-coached Stars should they be capable of pulling an upset.

The Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup title holders Uganda remain as the best in the region having ascended three places in the ladder to stay 75th.

Uganda, or popularly known as The Cranes, have been the most consistent side among the East African teams now making a huge leap inside the double digit figures.

The East African side is just three places below Mozambique.

Kenya, who hosted the Challenge Cup this month, has moved seven steps above the ladder to stay 98th while Cecafa losing finalists Rwanda are 102nd, four places above Tanzania.

Zambia have also made significant move to stay 84th from their previous 90th.

Cameroon are still leading the continent to stay five places above Cote d’Ivoire while they are just outside the global top ten teams. Third placed are Nigeria now occupying 22nd position in the world.

Egypt are fourth in the continent while staying 24th in the world after moving five steps above the ladder.

Other top ten teams in the continent after Egypt and their global rankings in bracket are Algeria (26), Ghana (34), Mali (47), Gabon (48), Burkina Faso (49) and Tunisia (53).

The top ten standings in the world is still intact with European champions Spain at the helm of the table, followed by Brazil, Italy, Portugal, Germany, France, Argentina, England and Croatia.

Next year’s World Cup hosts South Africa have moved just a place in the ladder to 85th while the African Nations Cup hosts Angola are troubled at 95th, dropping one place.