Bafana up two places to 85th in Fifa rankings

Zurich – Bafana Bafana are up to 85th in Fifa’s latest world rankings. Just two days before the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off, the hosts moved up two places, but remain the lowest-ranked team in their group.

World and European champion Spain leads an unchanged top 10.

Ecuador at No 12 and Haiti at No 38 both climbed one place to their highest-ever positions. Forty-six international matches in the past month counted toward the standings.

Spain leads from Germany, Argentina, Italy and Colombia. Europe completes the top 10 with England, Portugal, Netherlands, Russia and Croatia.

World Cup host Brazil remain at No 18.

Ivory Coast is the highest-ranked African team at No 14.

Defending champion Zambia drops five places to No 39.

Mexico leads Concacaf at No 15, and Japan heads Asia at No 21, up one place.

- Sapa-AP and staff reporter