The Gambia have moved 25 places from 150 position to 125 in the latest FIFA World Ranking released today. 

The Scorpions were ranked 150 before the start of their African Nations Cup debut and considered by many as one of the minnows to be knockout in the preliminary stages of the tournament. 

They surprised many with a successful campaign beating Mauritania, Tunisia and Guinea to set up a quarterfinal match with hosts Cameroon. 

Tom Saintfiet’s team lost the match but won many hearts and minds for their courageous display as debutants. 

Reacting to the new FIFA rankings, Saintfiet said it is a great achievement.

“We are the biggest movers in the world for the first time in three years.

“I’m so proud of the new feat. Its’ as a result of a fantastic AFCON that we are now moving so much,” he told GFF Media. 

In Africa, the Scorpions are now ranked 33 ahead of Togo, Angola, Comoros, Sudan, Tanzania and Liberia. 

African champions Senegal remains the highest ranked side in the continent and at 18 in the world.

They have moved two places from their previous position of 20.

Other notable rises were those of, Equatorial Guinea  (100, + 15), Malawi (119, + 10) and Gabon (82, + 7). For their part, Mali (48, + 5) made more modest gains but nonetheless broke into the Top 50.

The top five teams in the world are Belgium, Brazil, France, Argentina and England.