Ghana starts the New Year as the World’s 25th best side, exactly the same position the Black Stars ended the past year on the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking table.

The Black Stars, four-time African Champions, begins the year having dropped two points off its accumulated point build up.

Ghana now has 813 points as the year starts with minimal changes on the ranking table released today by the sport governing body.

A year ago, the Black Stars started the year at the 43rd position.

Ghana also holds a place among the top five sides in Africa. The Black Stars are placed fourth on the continental table.

Cameroon remains Africa's top-rated national side followed by Egypt and Nigeria in that order.

European Champions, Spain commence the year as leaders followed by Germany and Holland.

According to Fifa, January's world ranking took into account the 27 senior international matches played so far this year as well as 20 matches played in the second half of December 2008.