The Teranga Lions of Senegal were confirmed as the top rated national team in Africa according to the December release of the FIFA Rankings, giving them a significant psychological edge ahead of the 2017 Nations Cup in Gabon next month.

The West Africans retained the top spot they earned last month, as well as the 33rd place globally, fighting off the challenge from second-placed Cote D’Ivoire (34), who are the defending AFCON champions, as well as third ranked Tunisia(35).

The top 10 from an African perspective remains unchanged from November, with Tunisia, DR Congo and Nigeria moving one place down the standings overall.

The Pharaohs of Egypt are in fourth place, with an overall ranking of 36, followed by former top ranked team Algeria in 38th and fifth on the continent.

The Democratic Republic of Congo find themselves sixth in Africa, but 48th overall, while Burkina Faso and Nigeria, who are seventh and eighth respectively from a continental perspective, occupy the 50th and 51st spots.

Ghana and Morocco complete the top 10 for Africa, with the Black Stars remaining 53rd globally while the tenth-placed Atlas Lions are in position 57 on the FIFA Ranking.

With the Nations Cup only weeks away, the FIFA Ranking boost will provide Senegal with confidence ahead of a tournament in which Africa’s best will come head to head for the ultimate title on the continent.

Whichever team emerges victorious from the AFCON will no doubt benefit in February’s edition of the FIFA Rankings, and may top the standings from an African perspective if they are among the top five teams at the moment.

The likes of Senegal, Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, Egypt and Algeria remain amongst the favourites to be crowned champions of the continent on February 5, but perhaps the mental boost offered to the Senegalese side as the team officially ranked top of Africa may give them some extra come tournament time in Gabon.