Bafana Bafana have slipped three places to 69th in the latest Fifa rankings, a position from which new coach Ephraim ''Shakes" Mashaba believes the only way is up.
Safa have often stated the desire for South Africa to be one of the top three sides in Africa and among the top 20 in the world.
South Africa's highest ranking since the system was created in 1993 was 16th in the world in August 1996, not long after they were crowned African champions.
They have not been in the world's top 20 since March 2001, and while it might not be a mandate given to Mashaba, Safa bigwigs would obviously like to see their dream realised.
It is a long road from here and Bafana will have to win the African Cup of Nations in Morocco next year to rise anywhere near the top 20, but they at least have a benchmark from which Mashaba can evaluate his success, or lack thereof.
When Mashaba first took over the Bafana reins in August 2002, Bafana were ranked 32nd in the world.
When he left in January 2004, they had slipped to 36.
Bafana have never had a higher ranking since then.
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