Uganda completes 2017 top-ranked FIFA nation in Cecafa region

KAMPALA, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Uganda will end the year as the best ranked nation in the Council for East and Central African Football Associations (Cecafa) region.

According to the latest rankings by the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), Uganda has slipped to 75th place, but top in the region.

"It is good that we complete the 2017 season top of the region. This means that we are working hard," Edgar Watson, the Uganda FA Chief Executive Officer told Xinhua on Friday.

Despite Uganda Cranes failing to retain the regional Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup trophy, Uganda dropped by a place from 74th to 75th with 448 points from 448.19 points.

Zambia replaced Uganda in 74th place in the ranking.

Kenya who won the 2017 Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup after beating Zanzibar last Sunday, is second in the region by climbing five places to 106th. Rwanda moves seven places to 113th.

There is also a rise for Sudan to 136th as Burundi drops by four places to 142nd.

Tanzania also drops five places to 147th, while South Sudan declines further by one place to 153rd.

For the others in the Cecafa region, Djibouti is in 186th position, Eritrea and Somalia lag behind in joint 206th position together with Bahamas, Tonga, Anguilla and Gibraltar.

Senegal remains the best African ranked team on 23rd position with 884 points, while Tunisia follows suit in second place as it is in 27th (838 points).

Germany also maintains top position with 1,602 points ahead of Brazil with 1,483 points. Enditem