Egypt Jumps 9 places in April 2016 FIFA rankings

Egypt climbed nine positions to 44 in the FIFA global football rankings that were published 7 April, after placing 53rd last month.

The Pharaohs played their first big game in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) qualifiers against Nigeria, beating the Super Eagles 1-0 before an enthusiastic crowd at Alexandria’s Borg El-Arab Stadium, all but assuring their qualification for the tournament finals in Gabon.

Egypt moved within reach of a place at next year’s CAN for the first time since 2010 when a Ramadan Sobhi goal in the second half gave them a valuable 1-0 win over main challengers Nigeria on Tuesday.

The seven-time African champions are at the top of Group G of the qualifiers with seven points, five ahead of the second placed Nigeria.