Nigeria got just reward for missing the recently concluded 2012 African Nations Cup as the Super Eagles dropped to their lowest ranking since late 2000.

 The Eagles,led by new boss,Stephen Keshi dropped from last month’s 4th position in Africa to an all-time low of 8th on the continent and 56th in the world.

Meanwhile Zambia climbed to 43rd position in the new rankings and fourth in Africa after winning the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday.

It is the first time in 11 years that the team, which shot up 28 places, has made it into the top 50.
The Ivorians remain Africa's top team, up three places to 15th, third-placed Mali climbed 25 spots to 44th while co-hosts Gabon leapt from 91st to 45th.

Fellow co-hosts Equatorial Guinea leapt from 151st to 110th place after surpassing all expectations by reaching the quarter-finals, a run which included beating Senegal.

The Teranga Lions were the biggest fallers, dropping 25 places to 68th spot, after their bitterly disappointing campaign.

Having been absent from the finals, Egypt's 2010 champions also plummetted down the rankings - equalling Senegal's 25-place drop - with the Pharaohs now at their lowest-ever spot since Fifa's records began.

They now stand 61st - with this month's rating being the first time Egypt have ever been outside the top 50.