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NewsDay

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Warriors best mover in world ranking

Sport
The Zimbabwe Warriors still coated in gold following their 2-1 sweet victory over Mali in a Nations Cup qualifier match are the best mover on the Fifa/Coca-Cola World Ranking rocketing to position 87 from 126. The latest Warriors world ranking — 87 — is Zimbabwe’s best since 2007 when they ranked in the same position, […]

The Zimbabwe Warriors still coated in gold following their 2-1 sweet victory over Mali in a Nations Cup qualifier match are the best mover on the Fifa/Coca-Cola World Ranking rocketing to position 87 from 126.

The latest Warriors world ranking — 87 — is Zimbabwe’s best since 2007 when they ranked in the same position, but they have been taking a tumble on the global football rankings. Zimbabwe recorded their all-time best ranking in April 1995, when they were ranked in position 40.

The Warriors recorded their lowest ranking in October 2009 when they were ranked 131.

The Warriors stunned Mali 2-1 in the Nations Group A qualifier match with blazing striker Knowledge Musona striking twice to get their continental campaign back on track.

The tremor on home soil on that beautiful afternoon at Rufaro is still being felt today as it also improved the Zimbabwe’s ranking on the continent.

The Warriors who garnered 161 points following their win over Mali are now ranked in position 22 up from 39 in Africa and are just two places from joining the continent’s top 20 elite nations currently led by Ivory Coast.

The Warriors’ sensational June 5 victory over Mali is also being felt around the world as Zimbabwe are the best mover on the Fifa Coca-Cola World Ranking released on Wednesday.

Norman Mapeza should be a proud man as he found the Warriors ranked 127 in March this year, when he was appointed the Warriors head coach.

Hard work seems to be paying for the Warriors as they are today ranked in a more respectable position than in the last three years. Zimbabwe are now part of the top 100 club.

Over 203 nations affiliated to the world football body, Fifa, are ranked on the Fifa Coca-Cola World Ranking. Andorra, San Marino, American Samoa, Papua New Guinea and Montserrat are at the basement of the world rankings all on position 203.

World Cup champions Spain currently lead the standings.

The Concacaf Gold Cup, numerous qualifying matches for confederation championships and the devaluation of the first phase of matches from the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa, have led to considerable movement on this month’s Fifa/Coca-Cola World Ranking.

Among the top 10 teams, only leaders Spain and closest challengers the Netherlands have retained their positions. Brazil, third last month, have lost points and places (5th, down 2), and the pecking order has also changed further down.

Mexico have gained 19 places thanks to their victory at the Concacaf Gold Cup and have rocketed back into the top 10 for the first time since July 2007.

The next Fifa Coca-Cola World Ranking is on July 27 and the Warriors are scheduled to play their next Nations Cup match against Liberia on September 4 at Rufaro.