The December FIFA World rankings were released this afternoon, placing Botswana 53 in the world, a new team record, and 12 in Africa. Having moved up 14 places from November, the Zebras were once more among the month's biggest gainers.
The latest, year end, rankings further confirm Botswana as Africa's most improved performer of 2010, having moved up a total of 65 places since January when the Zebras were ranked 118 in the world.
Botswana is also currently ranked 12 in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Top 20 (see below)
The CAF's reigning champions, the Pharoahs of Egypt, maintained their place in FIFA's global top 10, having moved up one place to 9th position, followed on the continent by Ghana (16th position), Cote d'Ivoire (21) Nigeria (32) and Algeria (35).
The ruffled Eagles of Tunisia, twice beaten by the Zebras, held on to 45th position, while South Africa dropped out of the top 50 to 51st position. Scotland was sandwiched between South Africa and Botswana in 52nd position.
World and European champions Spain ended the year as number one in the FIFA World rankings, while World Cup runners up The Netherlands are in second position, followed by Germany, Brazil and Argentina.
COFEDERATION OF AFRICAN FOOTBALL (CAF) END OF YEAR TOP 20 RANKING
TEAM World Africa
Egypt 09 1
Ghana 16 2
Cote d'Ivoire 21 3
Nigeria 32 4
Algeria 35 5
Cameroon 37 6
Gabon 39 7
Burkina Faso 41 8
Tunisia 45 9
Guinea 46 10
South Africa 51 11
Botswana 53 12
Mali 67 13
Senegal 70 14
Benin 71 15
Libya 72 16
Cape Verde 75 17
Zambia 76 18
Morocco 80 20