Nigeria are set to be served a most daunting 2018 World Cup qualifying draw in June after the Super Eagles fell five spots to 67th in the world and they are now a disappointing 14th in Africa this month.

Egypt, who eliminated Nigeria from AFCON 2017, shot up nine places to 44 in the world and are now among the top five teams in Africa.

Egypt’s Hamada Tolba (L) Nigeria’s Ahmed Musa jump for the ball during their African Cup of Nations group G qualification football match between Egypt and Nigeria at the Borg el-Arab Stadium in Alexandria on March 29, 2016.

This latest ranking will now enhance Egypt’s chances to be among the top five seeds when the World Cup draw is staged on June 24. Nigeria, on the other hand, could now find themselves in a World Cup qualifying group that has at least two teams better ranked than them currently.

The Super Eagles will now need to play better rated teams in the FIFA friendly window in June to improve their ranking before the draw.

Africa’s top 10 are – Algeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal, Egypt, Cape Verde, Tunisia, DR Congo, Guinea and Congo.

Cameroon, Morocco and Mali are also above Nigeria.

The 2018 World Cup qualifying tournament for Africa will begin in October with 20 teams drawn into five groups of four teams each with the overall winners advancing to the final tournament in Russia.

Nigeria have featured at five World Cups thus far – 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010 and 2014.