Okenla made the remark in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos saying the exit of Cote d’Ivoire and Algeria, Africa’s top ranked teams, was a mockery of the rankings.

NAN reports that Cote d’Ivoire, AFCON’s defending champions and currently ranked 34th on FIFA rankings, crashed out of the tournament after losing by a lone goal to Morocco on Tuesday.

Similarly, Algeria that is ranked 39 in the world also crashed out of the tournament from the group stage on Monday.

The Desert Foxes bade the 2017 AFCON goodbye, after battling to a pulsating 2-2 draw with Senegal who had already secured a berth in the quarter-finals at the expense of the Algerians.

"FIFA ranking is what it is, but competitions are meant to spring surprises, in competitions like this surprises do happen, it is an element of a great tournament."

“You will agree with me that before FIFA rates a nation there are different criteria put in place to ensure that the rating is fair."

“As a team, as you are planning to remain top grade, other teams are working towards knocking you off, that’s how it goes,’’  he said.