Flames static on Fifa rankings
Malawi National Football Team, the Flames, will end 2022 on position 124 having remained static on the latest Fifa rankings released on Thursday.
Malawi accumulated 1144.97 points as they were inactive during the past two Fifa International Window calendar in October and December.
However, the Flames have finished the year five places better than in 2021.
They have been inactive since they played in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers in June this year.
During the qualifiers, Malawi beat Ethiopia 2-1 at Bingu National Stadium but lost 1-0 to Guinea away in Conakry.
Flames coach Marian Mario Marinica was not readily available for his immediate reaction Friday.
The Flames also participated at the 2022 Cosafa Seniors Championship in Durban, South Africa in July in which they won one match, one loss and one draw.
Sports analyst Sherry Msuku said inactive cost the Flames.
“In future, the teams should play more friendlies during Fifa Calendar dates,” Msuku said.
Morocco, who finished fourth at the just ended 2022 Fifa World Cup, are the top ranked team in Africa as they are on position 11 in the world. The Atlas Lions moved 11 places on the rankings.
Senegal are second in Africa but on position 19 in the world. Tunisia are third in Africa and on position 30 in the world whereas Cameroon are fourth and 33 in Africa and in the world respectively.
Brazil maintained position one in the world with 1840.77 points whereas newly crowned world champions Argentina climbed to position two with 1838.38.
Losing finalists France are third in the world with 1823.39 whereas Belgium descended to position four with 1781.3.
