Black Stars Ranked 2nd-best In Africa, 19th In The World

Ghana have moved up places on the February edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking released Thursday. The Black Stars who finished fourth at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa climbed up 7 places to the 19th position in the world rankings behind former number one, Brazil. Ghana, who were pushing for their fifth continental trophy now have 865 points. Kwesi Appiah's team are now ranked the second-best side on the continent behind Ivory Coast. Mali are third on the African ranking table. New African champions, Nigeria climbed 22 places to 30th are fourth on the continental table while beaten finalists Burkina Faso are placed at the 9th spot. World champions, Spain are still number one side ahead of Germany and Argentina. FIFA says the February edition of the ranking have have resulted in improved rankings for nearly all of the teams involved in the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa and the first matches of the latest round of CONCACAF qualifying matches for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil.