The Gambia Scorpions maintained a fairly good position in world and african rankings according to the latest list issued by the football's world governing body, Fifa.

The Scorpions slightly slipped from 17th to 21st position in June 2008 African rankings that are determined by taking into account the current performance of  nations, with previous results gradually reducing in importance.

The Gambia made their best ever move in April 2008, when they leapt from 25th to 16th and 102nd to 83rd position in African and global rankings respectively.

The Scorpions current stand is a reflection of their heroic displays\ in recent FIFA/CAF competitions.

They are currently in frame to qualify for their first-ever Nations Cup finals in Angola 2010, after collecting five points in their first three matches.

The team lie third in Group 6, which is led by Senegal on eight points, while Algeria are second on six points.

The Lone Star of Liberia whose dream is all but over, lie at the bottom-rock after picking only two points in three matches.

Meanwhile, Cameroon remain the top-ranked side in Africa. The Indomitable Lions are still ranked at 13 in the world, with new European Champions Spain the new number one nation.

Ghana remain the second best side in Africa but drop four places to number 20 in the world.  There were some big African movers on the global rankings after a month of 2010 World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Swaziland leapt 38 places overall and Cape Verde are up from 109th to 85th.

But the biggest movers are Burkina Faso, their 100% record in the 2010 qualifiers so far has taken them from 111th in the world to 64th - a move of 47 places.

See page 26 for June 2008 African ranking