The slide movement, places Nigeria as the 7th best playing nation in Africa. Senegal would head to this weekend African Cup of Nations as the best playing nation in Africa and 33rd in the world and are closely trailed by Cote D’ivoire in second place. The Pharaohs of Egypt are third in the continent and 35th in the world, while Tunisia dropped to the fourth spot and are ranked 36th in the world. Desert Foxes of Algeria and Congo Dr on the other hand, are ranked in fifth and sixth respectively. There are however no changes in the world’s top ten teams.

Former FIFA badge referee, Linus Mba, has urged football players and referees in Nigeria to be acquainted with latest changes in the rules of the game as approved by world’s football governing body in the upcoming 2016/17 NPFL 

Mba made the call while interacting with Akwa United media unit at the end of a one day seminar organised for players of the club by the management of the team in Uyo.

The Former President of the Nigerian Referees Association, explained that adequate knowledge and understanding of the latest changes in the rules of the game would help players avoid committing unnecessary fouls during matches.

“Players usually get confused with the interpretations of the laws of the game, and as a result, they commit lots of fouls in the field of play.

“Laws guiding the game have been reshaped in such a way that decisions are more flexible and fair, so players deserve to know more about the latest changes,” Mba explained.

The former referee said changes in the laws of the game would be implemented in the NPFL for the first time this season.

He however urged referees to ensure they give proper interpretation of the laws during matches in the coming football season.

“Series of seminars have been organised for referees in this country in respect to the latest changes in the rules of the game, so as to make them more conversant with the changes.

“The level of success may not be 100 per cent but we are sure that it will help referees to make fair decisions during matches,” Mba said.

The latest changes in the rules of football focus on incidents that attract yellow and red cards, offside decisions, restarting of games, changes in line-up, as well as issues on substitutions.