Super Falcons. Photo: CAF
By Elegbede Abiodun
• Spain maintain first position, followed by the USA, England, Germany, and Japan.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons have risen one place to 36th in the latest FIFA Women’s World Ranking and remain the top-ranked team in Africa.
The ranking, released on Tuesday, shows a modest improvement from the 37th position the team occupied in the December 2025 ranking.
The ranking also reflects two pre-WAFCON friendlies against Cameroon, in which it first lost 1–0 in February, followed by a 3–1 victory in March 2026.
Three days after a narrow 1–0 defeat in the first encounter, the 10-time African champions returned with a sharper, more aggressive display to turn the tie decisively in their favour.
Forward Chinwendu Ihezuo drew Nigeria level in the 32nd minute, heading home a precise cross from Rinsola Babajide.
Just before half-time, Babajide herself struck from close range after a scramble inside the box, giving the Falcons a 2–1 lead.
In the 64th minute, Michelle Alozie sealed the 3–1 victory with a flying header from a teasing cross by captain Rasheedat Ajibade.
The win moved the team up by 3.35 points to 1602 in April, although still five points short of the 1607 recorded in December 2025.
Behind the Falcons in Africa are South Africa, Ghana, and Morocco, which are ranked 58th, 59th, and 62nd globally, respectively.
Globally, Spain maintain first position, followed by the USA, England, Germany, and Japan.
