Nigeria's Super Falcons have slipped seven places in the latest FIFA Women's World Ranking, falling to 43rd in the world after losing 83.54 ranking points. It is a significant drop for a side that has long been the benchmark for women's football on the continent.
While Nigeria slides, Malawi is the undeniable story of this ranking cycle. The Scorchers climbed an eye-catching 49 places, recording the single biggest leap of any team in the entire updated standings. That kind of movement does not happen by accident.
The question now is whether the Super Falcons can arrest the decline before the gap between them and Africa's rising sides grows any wider.
Originally published by Premium Times.