Egypt's Mohamed Salah, left, celebrates with his teammate Amr Gamal scoring his side's second goal against Botswana during their African Cup of Nations group G qualifying soccer match at Cairo International Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2014 (Photo: AP)
Two recent victories over Botswana in the 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifiers have moved Egypt up 23 places to 38 in the FIFA monthly ranking issued on Thursday.
Egypt completed the double over Botswana with a 2-0 victory at Cairo Stadium on 15 October to keep the pressure on Senegal and Tunisia as they press on with a tough challenge to reach next year's tournament in Morocco.
The Pharaohs are third in Group G with six points, four behind leaders Tunisia and one behind second place Senegal.
The seven-time African Champions are now sixth in the African ranking after Algeria who top the list, Ivory Coast (15), Tunisia (31), Cape Verde Islands (33) and Ghana (35).
The Pharaohs made it into the world's top 10 after winning three successive African Cup of Nations trophies, in 2006, 2008 and 2010.
World Cup winners Germany are still leading the rankings despite losing to Poland 2-0 and drawing 1-1 with Ireland in the UEAF 2016 qualifiers this October.
Top 10: (August position in parentheses)
1. Germany
2. Argentina
3. Colombia
4. Belgium (5)
5. Netherlands (4)
6. Brazil
7. France (9)
8. Uruguay (7)
9. Portugal (11)
10. Spain (8)
Top five African teams:
15. Algeria (20)
25. Ivory Coast (22)
31. Tunisia
33. Cape Verde (41)
35. Ghana (37)
Top five Arab teams:
15. Algeria
31. Tunisia
38. Egypt
73. Libya (68)
88. Morocco (89)
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