Wikipedia

Botswana national football team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Botswana women's national football team.

The Botswana national football team was founded in 1970 to represent Botswana in association football and is governed by the Botswana Football Association (BFA). It qualified for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.[3]

Botswana
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Dipitse (The Zebras)
AssociationBFA
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCOSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coachDidier Gomes Da Rosa
CaptainThatayaone Ditlhokwe
Most capsJoel Mogorosi (92)
Top scorerJerome Ramatlhakwane (24)
Home stadiumBotswana National Stadium
FIFA codeBOT
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 146 Steady (4 April 2024)[1]
Highest53 (December 2010)
Lowest165 (November 1999 – February 2000)
First international
 Malawi 8–1 Botswana 
(Malawi; 13 July 1968)
Biggest win
 Botswana 6–0 Mauritius 
(Polokwane, South Africa; 1 June 2018)
Biggest defeat
 Malawi 8–1 Botswana 
(Malawi; 13 July 1968)
 Botswana 0–7 Zimbabwe 
(Gaborone, Botswana; 26 August 1990)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances1 (first in 2012)
Best resultGroup Stage (2012)
COSAFA Cup
Appearances19 (first in 1997)
Best resultRunners-up (2016, 2019)
Medal record
COSAFA Cup
Silver medal – second place 2016 Namibia Team
Silver medal – second place 2019 South Africa

History edit

It took part in its first preliminary competition for the 1994 World Cup in the United States, where it faced Niger and Ivory Coast. It managed a 0–0 draw with the latter in Gaborone, and lost its other 3 matches, finishing last in its group.

The next competition it entered was for the 2002 World Cup, where it faced Zambia in a 2-legged tie to decide which team would advance to the group stages. Zambia won both legs of the tie to qualify and knock Botswana out.

After this, Botswana lost 3–0 to Zambia and to second-string sides from South Africa and Zimbabwe at home in Gaborone. A draw with Madagascar which was ranked at 146th in the world at the time, led Botswana FA to sack manager Colwyn Rowe, who had guided Botswana to its then-highest ever FIFA ranking of 95th. BFA claimed this move was taken because it feared for his safety from angry fans. Stanley Tshosane was named as his replacement and in his first game in charge, Botswana achieved a 2–1 win away to Mozambique. While achieving a draw with Ivory Coast, Botswana finished bottom of its qualifying group for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Botswana defied its ranking to become the first team to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, beating Tunisia both at home and away. This coincided with a rise to its highest ever FIFA ranking of 53rd. It did not manage to build upon this upturn in form at the tournament, losing more narrowly to Ghana and Mali and more heavily to Guinea to finish bottom of its group with 0 points.

The truncated qualification format for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations saw Botswana face Mali in a two-legged tie, which Botswana lost 7–1 on aggregate. Botswana failed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup, finishing third in its group with 7 points behind South Africa and Ethiopia.

In October 2013, BFA sacked Tshosane, citing his "failing to meet the targets set for him". It subsequently appointed Englishman Peter Butler in February 2014.

Beating Burundi and Guinea-Bissau in the knockout rounds, it finished last in its qualifying group for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations with a single point. In its qualifying group for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, it finished third - 7 points behind qualifiers Burkina Faso and Uganda. In the qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup, it beat Eritrea in the first round and won 2–1 at home against Mali in the first leg of the second round. A 2–0 win for Mali in Bamako meant that Botswana lost on aggregate and failed to make the group stages.

In July 2017, David Bright became manager of the Zebras for the 4th time after BFA chose not to renew Butler's contract. He led the team during qualifiers for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, in which Botswana scored only 1 goal in its 6 Group I matches.

Results and fixtures edit

See also: Botswana national football team results (2020 to present)

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023 edit

24 March 2023 AFCON qualification Equatorial Guinea   2–0   Botswana Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
20:00 UTC+1
  • Coco   20'
  • Bikoro   66'
 Report Stadium: Estadio de Malabo
Referee: Adalbert Diouf (Senegal)
28 March 2023 AFCON qualification Botswana   2–3   Equatorial Guinea Francistown, Botswana
15:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Francistown Stadium
Referee: Mohamed Diraneh Guedi (Djibouti)
17 June 2023 AFCON qualification Botswana   1–0   Libya Francistown, Botswana
18:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Francistown Stadium
Referee: Samuel Uwikunda (Rwanda)
5 July 2023 COSAFA Cup Eswatini   0–1   Botswana Durban
15:00 Report
Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium
8 July 2023 COSAFA Cup South Africa   2–1   Botswana Durban
15:00
Report
Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium
11 July 2023 COSAFA Cup Namibia   0–0   Botswana Durban
18:00 Report Stadium: Chatsworth Stadium
7 September 2023 AFCON qualification Tunisia   3–0   Botswana Radès, Tunisia
20:00 UTC+1
Report Stadium: Stade Hammadi Agrebi
Referee: Issa Sy (Senegal)
30 September Friendly Botswana   1–1   Zimbabwe
16 October Friendly Botswana   2–1   Eswatini
16 November 2026 World Cup qualification Botswana   2–3   Mozambique Francistown, Botswana
15:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Obed Itani Chilume Stadium
Referee: Peter Waweru (Kenya)
21 November 2026 World Cup qualification Botswana   1–0   Guinea Francistown, Botswana
15:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Obed Itani Chilume Stadium
Referee: Patrice Tanguy Mebiame (Gabon)

2024 edit

8 January Friendly Botswana   1–1   Mozambique Johannesburg, South Africa
16:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Johannesburg Stadium
22 March Friendly Botswana   0–0   Rwanda Antananarivo, Madagascar
Stadium: Mahamasina Municipal Stadium
25 March Friendly Burundi   0–0   Botswana Antananarivo, Madagascar
Stadium: Mahamasina Municipal Stadium
2 June 2026 World Cup qualification Uganda   v   Botswana
9 June 2026 World Cup qualification Somalia   v   Botswana

Coaching history edit

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Players edit

Current squad edit

The following players were called up for the friendly against Mozambique on 8 January 2024.[4]

Caps and goals correct as of 21 November 2023, after the match against Guinea

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Kabelo Dambe (1990-05-10) 10 May 1990 (age 33) 63 0   Township Rollers
1GK Goitseone Phoko (1994-12-13) 13 December 1994 (age 29) 22 1   Gaborone United
1GK Kenneth Moko 0 0
2DF Mosha Gaolaolwe (1993-12-25) 25 December 1993 (age 30) 73 1   Township Rollers
2DF Mothusi Johnson (1997-07-28) 28 July 1997 (age 26) 22 0   Gaborone United
2DF Alfred Velaphi (1999-01-18) 18 January 1999 (age 25) 19 0   Gaborone United
2DF Tebogo Kopelang (2000-04-24) 24 April 2000 (age 23) 15 0   Security Systems
2DF Kitso Mangolo (1999-01-06) 6 January 1999 (age 25) 15 1   Jwaneng Galaxy
3MF Mpho Kgaswane (1994-06-13) 13 June 1994 (age 29) 20 2   Gaborone United
3MF Gape Mohutsiwa (1997-03-20) 20 March 1997 (age 27) 19 2   ASO Chlef
3MF Thabo Leinanyane (1993-07-27) 27 July 1993 (age 30) 17 0   Jwaneng Galaxy
3MF Olebogeng Ramotse (1998-01-17) 17 January 1998 (age 26) 4 0   Masitaoka
3MF Motsholetsi Sikele (1991-12-01) 1 December 1991 (age 32) 2 0   Township Rollers
3MF Phenyo Serameng (1996-09-27) 27 September 1996 (age 27) 1 0   Township Rollers
3MF Christopher Lemme 0 0
4FW Kabelo Seakanyeng (1993-06-25) 25 June 1993 (age 30) 56 8   Olympique Khouribga
4FW Tumisang Orebonye (1996-03-26) 26 March 1996 (age 28) 43 5   USM Alger
4FW Thatayaone Kgamanyane (1996-01-30) 30 January 1996 (age 28) 26 5   Gaborone United
4FW Thabang Sesinyi (1992-10-15) 15 October 1992 (age 31) 18 2   Jwaneng Galaxy
4FW Molaodi Tlhalefang (1997-07-07) 7 July 1997 (age 26) 7 1   Miscellaneous SC Serowe
4FW Eric Ookame (2001-04-03) 3 April 2001 (age 23) 3 0   Eleven Angels

Recent call-ups edit

The following players were last called up within the last twelve months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Lesenya Malapela (1996-07-10) 10 July 1996 (age 27) 7 0   Orapa United 2023 COSAFA Cup
GK Thabo Motswagole (2000-04-22) 22 April 2000 (age 23) 1 0   Masitaoka 2023 COSAFA Cup
GK Kabelo Maphakela (1998-11-28) 28 November 1998 (age 25) 0 0   Township Rollers v.   Libya, 17 June 2023
GK Ezekiel Morake (1996-03-21) 21 March 1996 (age 28) 10 0   Ethiopian Coffee v.   Equatorial Guinea, 28 March 2023
DF Thato Kebue (1997-05-29) 29 May 1997 (age 26) 34 2   Gaborone United v.   Guinea, 21 November 2023
DF Thatayaone Ditlhokwe (1998-09-21) 21 September 1998 (age 25) 29 2   Kaizer Chiefs v.   Guinea, 21 November 2023
DF Thabo Babutsi (2000-07-24) 24 July 2000 (age 23) 3 0   Township Rollers v.   Zimbabwe, 30 September 2023
DF Goitseone Legopelo (1997-06-02) 2 June 1997 (age 26) 5 0   Uniao Flamengo Santos 2023 COSAFA Cup
DF Thabang Khuduga (1999-03-24) 24 March 1999 (age 25) 1 0   Masitaoka 2023 COSAFA Cup
DF Leruo Ratala (1998-10-03) 3 October 1998 (age 25) 0 0   Gaborone United v.   Libya, 17 June 2023
DF Moagi Sechele (1992-11-07) 7 November 1992 (age 31) 1 0   Jwaneng Galaxy v.   Equatorial Guinea, 28 March 2023
MF Lebogang Ditsele (1996-04-20) 20 April 1996 (age 27) 54 3   Gaborone United v.   Guinea, 21 November 2023
MF Mothusi Cooper (1997-07-19) 19 July 1997 (age 26) 25 0   Gaborone United v.   Guinea, 21 November 2023
MF Godiraone Modingwane (1996-06-26) 26 June 1996 (age 27) 17 0   Botswana Defence Force v.   Guinea, 21 November 2023
MF Oarabile Sekwai (1998-11-28) 28 November 1998 (age 25) 2 0   Police XI v.   Guinea, 21 November 2023
MF Gofaone Mabaya (1995-08-31) 31 August 1995 (age 28) 18 0   Orapa United v.   Zimbabwe, 30 September 2023
MF Lemogang Maswena (1991-02-05) 5 February 1991 (age 33) 7 1   Jwaneng Galaxy v.   Zimbabwe, 30 September 2023
MF Thabang Aphiri (2003-08-03) 3 August 2003 (age 20) 1 0   Jwaneng Galaxy v.   Zimbabwe, 30 September 2023
MF Gape Thibedi (2000-02-02) 2 February 2000 (age 24) 10 0   Gaborone United 2023 COSAFA Cup
MF Obakeng Ramotlhwa (1999-07-26) 26 July 1999 (age 24) 1 0   Masitaoka 2023 COSAFA Cup
MF Shaun Theron (2003-03-11) 11 March 2003 (age 21) 0 0   Jwaneng Galaxy 2023 COSAFA Cup
MF Omphile Vissage (1996-11-28) 28 November 1996 (age 27) 0 0   Township Rollers v.   Libya, 17 June 2023
MF Brandon Wilson (1997-01-28) 28 January 1997 (age 27) 0 0   Hanoi v.   Guinea, 21 November 2023
FW Tawana Mbakile (2000-07-14) 14 July 2000 (age 23) 4 0   Security Systems v.   Guinea, 21 November 2023
FW Monty Enosa (2004-02-06) 6 February 2004 (age 20) 5 0   Masitaoka v.   Zimbabwe, 30 September 2023
FW Lethabo Ogotseng (2002-11-17) 17 November 2002 (age 21) 0 0   Masitaoka 2023 COSAFA Cup
FW Omaatla Kebatho (1993-06-16) 16 June 1993 (age 30) 22 2   Orapa United v.   Libya, 17 June 2023
FW Thero Setsile (1995-10-08) 8 October 1995 (age 28) 31 3   Gaborone United v.   Equatorial Guinea, 28 March 2023
FW Onkabetse Makgantai (1995-07-01) 1 July 1995 (age 28) 27 10   Orapa United v.   Equatorial Guinea, 28 March 2023
FW Mbatshi Elias (1995-07-10) 10 July 1995 (age 28) 11 1   Township Rollers v.   Equatorial Guinea, 28 March 2023

Player records edit

As of 21 November 2023[5]
Players in bold are still active with Botswana.

Most appearances edit

Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Joel Mogorosi 92 16 2005–2019
2 Mompati Thuma 86 1 2004–2013
3 Modiri Marumo 85 0 1997–2015
4 Ndiapo Letsholathebe 78 0 2003–2013
5 Tshepo Motlhabankwe 76 2 2003–2013
6 Mogogi Gabonamong 74 4 1999–2015
7 Mosha Gaolaolwe 73 1 2013–present
8 Dipsy Selolwane 68 18 1998–2012
9 Lemponye Tshireletso 64 11 2009–2020
10 Kabelo Dambe 63 0 2011–present

Top goalscorers edit

Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Jerome Ramatlhakwane 24 61 0.39 2006–2018
2 Dipsy Selolwane 18 68 0.26 1998–2012
3 Joel Mogorosi 16 92 0.17 2005–2019
4 Lemponye Tshireletso 11 64 0.17 2009–2020
5 Onkabetse Makgantai 10 27 0.37 2014–2021
6 Moemedi Moatlhaping 9 50 0.18 2004–2013
7 Tshepiso Molwantwa 8 44 0.18 1998–2006
Kabelo Seakanyeng 8 56 0.14 2014–present
9 Pontsho Moloi 7 50 0.14 2004–2012
10 Thatayaone Kgamanyane 5 26 0.19 2017–present
Tumisang Orebonye 5 43 0.12 2017–present
Mogakolodi Ngele 5 49 0.1 2009–present

Competitive records edit

FIFA World Cup edit

FIFA World Cup Qualification
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1970 to 1978 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
1982 to 1990 Did not enter Declined participation
  1994 Did not qualify 4 0 1 3 1 9
  1998 Did not enter Did not enter
    2002 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 0 2
  2006 12 4 1 7 14 19
  2010 6 1 2 3 3 8
  2014 6 2 1 3 8 10
  2018 4 3 0 1 7 4
  2022 2 0 1 1 0 1
      2026 To be determined 2 1 0 1 3 3
      2030 To be determined
  2034
Total 0/11 38 11 6 21 36 56

Africa Cup of Nations edit

Main article: Botswana at the Africa Cup of Nations
Africa Cup of Nations record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
  1957 Part of   United Kingdom Part of   United Kingdom
  1959
  1962
  1963
  1965
  1968 Not affiliated to CAF Not affiliated to CAF
  1970
  1974
  1976
  1978 Did not enter Did not enter
  1980
  1982
  1984
  1986
  1988
  1990
  1992
  1994 Did not qualify
  1996
  1998
    2000
  2002
  2004
  2006
  2008
  2010
    2012 Group stage 14th 3 0 0 3 2 9
  2013 Did not qualify
  2015
  2017
  2019
  2021
  2023
  2025 To be determined To be determined
      2027
Total Group stage 1/36 3 0 0 3 2 9

COSAFA Cup edit

Main article: COSAFA Cup

Head-to-head record edit

As of 18 November 2019 after match against   Algeria[6]

Key
Positive balance (more Wins)
Neutral balance (Wins = Losses)
Negative balance (more Losses)
Opponent
 Pld
 W
 D
 L
 GF
 GA
 GD
  Algeria 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1
  Angola 12 1 6 5 5 13 −8
  Burkina Faso 6 2 1 3 3 7 −4
  Burundi 4 2 1 1 2 1 +1
  Central African Republic 2 1 0 1 3 4 −1
  Cameroon 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
  Chad 2 2 0 0 2 0 +2
  China 2 0 0 2 1 6 −5
  Comoros 3 1 1 1 2 2 0
  DR Congo 5 0 3 2 0 4 −4
  Egypt 6 0 2 4 1 7 −6
  Equatorial Guinea 1 1 0 0 2 0 +2
  Eritrea 2 2 0 0 5 1 +4
  Ethiopia 4 2 0 2 7 4 +3
  Gabon 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
  Ghana 2 0 1 1 0 1 −1
  Guinea 5 0 0 5 2 18 −16
  Guinea-Bissau 2 1 1 0 3 1 +2
  Iran 1 0 1 0 1 1 0
  Iraq 1 0 1 0 1 1 0
  Ivory Coast 4 0 2 2 1 11 −10
  Kenya 7 3 0 4 7 10 −3
  Lesotho 30 14 11 5 35 23 +12
  Liberia 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
  Libya 3 0 2 1 0 1 −1
  Madagascar 6 2 1 3 4 5 −1
  Malawi 25 5 8 12 21 47 −26
  Mali 7 1 0 6 5 19 −14
  Mauritania 4 1 0 3 3 8 −5
  Mauritius 3 1 1 1 6 1 +5
  Morocco 2 0 0 2 0 2 −2
  Mozambique 21 4 4 13 15 31 −16
  Namibia 19 7 10 2 19 18 +1
  New Zealand 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
  Niger 3 0 1 2 2 4 −2
  Nigeria 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
  Senegal 2 0 0 2 0 5 −5
  Seychelles 3 3 0 0 7 1 +6
  South Africa 15 0 5 10 8 25 −17
  South Sudan 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3
  Swaziland 23 12 6 5 36 21 +15
  Sweden 1 0 0 1 1 2 −1
  Tanzania 5 1 2 2 7 9 −2
  Togo 2 1 0 1 2 2 0
  Trinidad and Tobago 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
  Tunisia 6 2 1 3 5 9 −4
  Uganda 5 0 2 3 2 7 −5
  Zambia 22 3 6 13 8 34 −26
  Zimbabwe 17 4 4 9 8 21 −13
Total 303 80 82 141 245 388 −143

References edit

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  3. ^ "BBC Sport – Football – Minnows Botswana qualify for Africa Cup of Nations". BBC News. 2011-03-26. Archived from the original on 2023-04-04. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  4. ^ "Final Squad". Twitter. Botswana Football Association.
  5. ^ "Botswana – Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2022-07-10. Retrieved 2017-02-02.
  6. ^ "World Football Elo Ratings: Botswana". Elo Ratings. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2017.

External links edit

 
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