Following the performance of Team Nigeria at the just concluded ITTF World Team Championship, the Segun Toriola-led side has moved up in the latest ITTF World Ranking with the West African giant now rated as the 24th best African team in the globe.

According to the team ranking released by the world table tennis ruling body – ITTF, Nigeria with 216 points is ranked 24 ahead of Egypt, which now occupies 29th position with 208 points.

Prior to the ITTF World Team Championship in Malaysia, Nigeria was rated 32nd behind Egypt which then ranked 25, but the outstanding outing of the team at the Asian nation was said to have influenced the new rating.

In the women rating, Egypt remains the best in the continent as the North Africans are now ranked 29th while the absence of Nigeria may have caused their slide to 40th place in the world.

Despite the slump, Nigerian female side still remains the second best team in Africa ahead of Congo Brazzaville, Algeria and Tunisia.

Also, China, which swept the men and women titles at the ITTF World Team Championship remains the best teams in the world.

In his reaction the Vice President, African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Olabanji Oladapo said the performance of Team Nigeria is commendable but the lack of support from government may not augur well for the sport.