By Alex Osei-Boateng

ACCRA, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Ghana moved one place up to end the year as the 50th ranked side in the latest FIFA world rankings released on Thursday.

The Black Stars also moved a place up to rank 8th on the December continental pecking order after maintaining 657 points of last month despite failing to book a place at next year's World Cup in Russia.

Ghana finished the year three places better than they did in 2016.

Senegal are still Africa's best ranked team with North Africans Tunisia and Egypt following in that order.

Germany also ended 2017 as the top ranked team, sitting atop the global table. They succeed Argentina and Belgium who were 'Team of the Year' in 2016 and 2015 respectively.

According to FIFA, Germany held on to top spot in a largely unchanged ranking that reflects the fact that just 41 'A' internationals have been played since the previous edition, and that a few of those involved teams at the top end of the table.

Ghana Black Stars' last obligation for the year was a one-all game against Egypt in the final round of the FIFA world cup qualifiers at Cape Coast.