Bafana unchanged in world rankings

Sapa and Sapa-dpa | 04 July, 2012 11:290 Comments

Lehlohonolo Majoro of South Africa tackled by Guelor Kanga of Gabon during the International Friendly match between South Africa and Gabon from Mbombela Stadium on June 15, 2012 in Nelspruit
Image by: Lee Warren / Gallo Images

Bafana Bafana retained their 68th place in the latest Fifa World Rankings released on Wednesday.

The national side went unbeaten in two matches during the latest rankings period.

They drew 1-1 against Botswana in a World Cup qualifier in Gaborone and defeated Gabon 3-0 in an international friendly in Nelspruit.

Bafana also remained in 14th position among African countries.

Ivory Coast continue to hold top spot in Africa.

Euro 2012 finalists Italy moved up six places to sixth in FIFA’s global rankings on Wednesday, while winners Spain significantly increased their lead from 1,442 to 1,691 points.

The Euros also helped defeated semi-finalists Portugal and Germany move up by five places to fifth and by one place to second respectively. Quarter finalists Czech Republic moved up nine places to 18th.

Hosts Poland and Ukraine also moved up, Poland by eight places to 54th position and Ukraine by 6 to 46th.

Uruguay, England, Portugal, Argentina, the Netherlands, Croatia and Denmark completed the top ten, with the Dutch sliding down four places to eighth place.

The next rankings update is set for August 8.

FIFA rankings for July (June positions in parentheses):

1. Spain (1)

2. Germany (3)

3. Uruguay (2)

4. England (6)

5. Portugal (10)

6. Italy (12)

7. Argentina (7)

8. Netherlands (4)

9. Croatia (8)

10. Denmark (9)