Black Stars drop to 67th in latest FIFA rankings after AFCON disaster

The Black Stars have dropped from 61st to 67th in the latest FIFA World Rankings following their disappointing performance in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The four-time champions were eliminated in the group stage, failing to secure a single victory at the tournament.

The team’s struggles were evident as they lost 2-1 to Cape Verde in their opening match and managed only draws against Egypt and Mozambique, earning a mere two points that proved insufficient for advancement to the knockout stage.

In the continental rankings, Ghana also slipped from 11th to 14th, lagging behind South Africa, DR Congo, and Cape Verde.

Meanwhile, Ivory Coast, ranked eighth previously, climbed to fifth after clinching the AFCON title, while Nigeria moved to third from sixth after finishing as runners-up. Despite exiting in the round of 16, Morocco and Senegal maintained their top two positions in Africa. However, Tunisia dropped from third to sixth, and Algeria occupied the seventh spot, with Mali, Cameroon, and South Africa completing the top 10.

On the global stage, Morocco ascended a place to 12th, and Senegal rose to 17th from 20th after an impressive group stage performance at AFCON.

The Black Stars’ early exit from the AFCON triggered discontent among football enthusiasts, leading to a demonstration by fans and sports journalists who sought to address the perceived decline in Ghanaian football.

The protest advocated for fundamental changes rather than an immediate replacement for ousted coach Chris Hughton. The fans urged the Ghana Football Association to prioritise fixing underlying issues before making any substantive decisions.

The newly released FIFA rankings, following the demonstration, add an extra layer to the ongoing discourse surrounding Ghanaian football, highlighting the urgent need for reform and revival in the national team’s performance.

Source: 3news