Nigeria’s senior national team, the Super Eagles, has fallen 14 places in the latest FIFA ranking, to 57th, the worst placing in recent times.

The latest ranking, released on Thursday by football’s governing body, further confirmed the dwindling fortunes of the beautiful game in what is considered one of Africa’s traditional football powerhouses.

With the latest ranking, Nigeria, three-time African champions, are the 10th best team on the continent.

Algeria, who are 19th in the world, remain the highest ranked team in Africa while Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana Tunisia, Senegal, Cameroon, Congo, Cape Verde and Egypt are all placed above Nigeria.

Argentina are the new team at the apex of the FIFA rankings.

Despite losing to Chile on penalties in the final of the Copa América, the Albiceleste have leapfrogged over Belgium and Germany to take the top spot in the world ranking for the first time in seven years.

Chile, who emerged champions in the South American tournament, moved up eight positions; only just missing out on a top-ten ranking at number 11.