Warriors slide down Fifa ranks

THE Brave Warriors’ sub-standard form in the ongoing 2010 World Cup qualifiers has negatively impacted on its ranking according to the latest International Federation of Football Associations’ (Fifa) rankings.

Namibia is now ranked 131 after going down 15 places in the 199 Fifa-member countries. Its position last month was 116 in the world.This slide is a sad development for the local football lovers, and an indictment on the Namibia Football AssociationŽs (NFA) leadership.On the Confederation of Africa (CAF)’s ranking, Namibia went downhill to 46th position from 33rd in June.Namibia’s newly-appointed coach, Tom Saintfiet, is expected in the country next week and has a daunting task of ensuring that Namibia improves on the Fifa rankings as a matter of urgency.Apart from the annual Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) Cup later this year, Namibia has two remaining matches in the 2010 World Cup and African Nations Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe (home) and Kenya (away).Zimbabwe is ranked 82nd in the world and 18th on the continent, while Kenya is 92nd on the Fifa ranking and 24th in Africa.The top 10 African rankings saw no major changes, except for Ivory Coast being beaten to fifth place and Nigeria moving to fourth place from fifth position last month.Cameroon leads the African pack, followed by Ghana and Egypt in third place.Nigeria is placed fourth, Ivory Coast fifth, while Morocco and Guinea are in sixth and seventh positions, respectively.In the eighth position lies Senegal, followed by Tunisia and Mali in ninth and 10th position respectively.The recently-concluded Uefa Euro 2008 tournament co-hosted by Switzerland and Austria, saw new European champions Spain right on top of the Fifa rankings, followed by world champions Italy, in second place.In third position lies the Euro 2008 runners-up Germany, followed by Brazil (4), The Netherlands (5), Argentina (6), Croatia (7), Czech Republic (8), Portugal (9) and France (10).The next FIFA rankings will be released on August 6.NampaIts position last month was 116 in the world.This slide is a sad development for the local football lovers, and an indictment on the Namibia Football AssociationŽs (NFA) leadership.On the Confederation of Africa (CAF)’s ranking, Namibia went downhill to 46th position from 33rd in June.Namibia’s newly-appointed coach, Tom Saintfiet, is expected in the country next week and has a daunting task of ensuring that Namibia improves on the Fifa rankings as a matter of urgency.Apart from the annual Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) Cup later this year, Namibia has two remaining matches in the 2010 World Cup and African Nations Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe (home) and Kenya (away).Zimbabwe is ranked 82nd in the world and 18th on the continent, while Kenya is 92nd on the Fifa ranking and 24th in Africa.The top 10 African rankings saw no major changes, except for Ivory Coast being beaten to fifth place and Nigeria moving to fourth place from fifth position last month.Cameroon leads the African pack, followed by Ghana and Egypt in third place.Nigeria is placed fourth, Ivory Coast fifth, while Morocco and Guinea are in sixth and seventh positions, respectively.In the eighth position lies Senegal, followed by Tunisia and Mali in ninth and 10th position respectively.The recently-concluded Uefa Euro 2008 tournament co-hosted by Switzerland and Austria, saw new European champions Spain right on top of the Fifa rankings, followed by world champions Italy, in second place.In third position lies the Euro 2008 runners-up Germany, followed by Brazil (4), The Netherlands (5), Argentina (6), Croatia (7), Czech Republic (8), Portugal (9) and France (10).The next FIFA rankings will be released on August 6.Nampa