Banyana Banyana are the second biggest climbers in Africa in the latest published FIFA Women's rankings, and Soccer Laduma takes a look at whether the system is fair to nations on the continent.
South Africa won their first ever game at the World Cup after beating Italy 3-2 in their final group game and the match was historic for two reasons, as Desiree Ellis' charges progressed to the round of 16 for the first time.
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Banyana came to the tournament ranked 54th and have now moved up nine places to 45th in the latest women rankings published by FIFA.
Banyana are the second highest climbers in Africa, behind Morocco, who shot up 14 places from 78th to 58th after their World Cup debut.
South Africa's arch-rival on the continent, Nigeria remained the top ranked nation after moving eight places up to 32nd in the world, with Banyana ranked second in Africa.
The FIFA rankings, however, has been argued that they do not seem to be a true reflection of the strength of the nations, with African teams at a disadvantage for one major reason.
In Banyana Banyana's case, their rankings do not move ahead faster, as they play mostly with African nations who are ranked lower than them and they don't get enough points to move up the rankings.
The recent Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand also showed that the rankings are not the true reflection of the strength of the nations, as there was not much of a gap between Banyana and Sweden, who are now the top ranked nation in the world, for example.
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Banyana won the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) ahead of the World Cup but that triumph did not reflect enough in the rankings. It's surprising that the champions of Africa can go to the World Cup not even in the top 50 in the world rankings.
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