Russia 2018: FIFA to release special African ranking by June 21

Idris Adesina

World football governing body FIFA has said a special ranking will be established for African countries for the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

In a letter sent by mail to the football federations of the 20 countries in the last stage of the qualifiers, FIFA said it would release the ranking on June 21 following complaints from several of the teams.

The previous ranking, which was done by FIFA last week, was fraught with complaints as some countries believed it should have been done with the June FIFA ranking.

Egypt were reportedly among the countries who complained about the seedings, which put them in Pot two along with Nigeria. They argued that they should be in Pot 1, which is reserved for the top seeds.

Ex Ethiopia Coach Blasts FIFA Over Nigeria's W/Cup Ticket

Former Ethiopia coach, Sewnet Bishaw insists Nigeria Super Eagles was aided ahead of his country during World Cup qualifiers.

Bishaw launched an attack on FIFA, claiming world football’s governing body conspired to see them miss out from the Brazil2014 World Cup. The Walia Antelopes of Eithiopia failed to secure a ticket to this year’s Brazil showpiece after losing their qualifying play-off match against Nigeria, with the Super Eagles winning 2-1 in Ethiopia before securing a 2-0 victory at home in the return leg to book a place in the biggest football tournament.

The Stephen Keshi's predator Eagles put a definite and final stop to the Ethiopian dreams of partaking in the world soccer events in Brazil.