LUSAKA, April 4 (Xinhua) -- Zambia has moved up three places on the latest FIFA world rankings, the country's soccer governing body revealed on Thursday.

According to a statement posted on its website, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) noted that Zambia now stands in the 79th place in the world and 17th in Africa.

This is mainly attributed to the national soccer team's 4-1 routing of Namibian in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match last month.

The 2012 Africa Cup champions however have missed out at this year's soccer showpiece in the continent to be hosted by Egypt, the second time in a row.