By Robert Kayindi James
Uganda has risen to its best position ever in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings that were released yesterday (Thursday, 7th January 2016) in Switzerland’s capital Zurich.
Uganda Cranes are now ranked 62nd in the world (out of the 209 FIFA Member countries) and 12th on the African continent, something that FUFA president Eng. Moses Magogo will have a good reason to boast about.
The Pearl of Africa’s recent triumph in the 2015 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup that saw the Cranes win their 14th regional title remains one of the key factors as to why Uganda has risen to this position from being 63rd towards the end of 2015.
Having accumulated a tally of 533 points, Uganda is now ranked ahead of 2013 African Cup of Nations champions Nigeria, 1996 champions South Africa and West African giants Mali.
World’s Top 3: Belgium ranked number one followed by 2014 World Cup losing finalists Argentina and 2010 world champions Spain.
2016 CHAN Opponents: with just 9-days away to the kickoff of the biennial tournament, Uganda’s Group D opponents Mali are ranked 63rd, Zambia 67th and Zimbabwe 108th.
CECAFA Region: Uganda is still top in 62nd, Rwanda 91st, Kenya 101st, Burundi 110th, Ethiopia 118th, Tanzania 126th, Sudan 130th, south Sudan 130th, Djibouti, Eritrea and Somali all ranked 204th.
Africa’s top 5 seeds: Cote d’Ivoire (19th), Algeria (28th), Ghana, Cape Verde Islands and Tunisia.
Email Robert: Robert.k.circles@gmail.com