The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)
Majuto Omary
2 July 2009
Tanzania has moved 12 positions in the world governing soccer body (FIFA), June ranking.
Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) Information Officer, Florian Kaijage said yesterday that the country is now in 97th compared to the past as it was located in 109th position respectively.
Kaijage said that the chance has been attained due to good performance of the National soccer team, Taifa Stars that defeated New Zealand 2-1 during the FIFA's international friendly match in June 3rd at the National Stadium.
Kaijage said that they are proud to have the chance although their target is to be among the 70 countries in the rating. In Africa, Tanzania is rated 23rd and in East and Central Africa zone, the country is rated third. Uganda and Sudan lead the region.
Taifa Stars head coach, Marcio Maximo said he was pleased with the improvement.
The ranking shows that Brazil has retained the first position following the FIFA Confederation Cup championship. The country have regained the top spot in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, thus relegating European champions Spain (2nd, down 1) to second place.
The South Americans last topped the ranking in August 2007, a position to which they have climbed six times in the history of the ranking.
The Netherlands (3rd, down 1), Italy (4th, unchanged) and Germany (5th, down 2), occupy the next three places, but are some distance behind the leading duo. Russia (6th, up 3) have overtaken England (7th, down 1) and Argentina (8th, down 1), achieving their best position since August 1997 in the process.
Of the other countries that took part in the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009, finalists the USA (12th, up 2), Egypt (38th, up 2) and hosts South Africa (70th, up 2) have also progressed up the ranking.
Egypt's improved position despite their early exit from the tournament is due to their 1-0 victory over world champions Italy, which scored very highly in terms of ranking points. Meanwhile, disappointing performances by Iraq (94th, down 17) and New Zealand (100th, down 18) caused them to lose ground.
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