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]
 | ||||
| Nickname(s) | Dipitse (The Zebras) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Association | BFA | |||
| Confederation | CAF (Africa) | |||
| Sub-confederation | COSAFA (Southern Africa) | |||
| Head coach | Didier Gomes Da Rosa | |||
| Captain | Thatayaone Ditlhokwe | |||
| Most caps | Joel Mogorosi (92) | |||
| Top scorer | Jerome Ramatlhakwane (24) | |||
| Home stadium | Botswana National Stadium | |||
| FIFA code | BOT | |||
| ||||
| FIFA ranking | ||||
| Current | 145  (18 July 2024)[1] | |||
| Highest | 53 (December 2010) | |||
| Lowest | 165 (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 | ||||
| Appearances | 1 (first in 2012) | |||
| Best result | Group Stage (2012) | |||
| COSAFA Cup | ||||
| Appearances | 19 (first in 1997) | |||
| Best result | Runners-up (2016, 2019) | |||
Medal record | ||||
History
editIt 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
editThe 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| 5 July 2023 COSAFA Cup | Eswatini | 0–1 | | Durban |
| 15:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium |
| 8 July 2023 COSAFA Cup | South Africa | 2–1 | | Durban |
| 15:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium |
| 11 July 2023 COSAFA Cup | Namibia | 0–0 | | Durban |
| 18:00 | Report | Stadium: Chatsworth Stadium |
| 7 September 2023 AFCON qualification | Tunisia | 3–0 | | Radès, Tunisia |
| 20:00 UTC+1 | Report | Stadium: Stade Hammadi Agrebi Referee: Issa Sy (Senegal) |
| 16 November 2026 World Cup qualification | Botswana | 2–3 | | 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 | | 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 | | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| 16:00 UTC+2 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Johannesburg Stadium |
| 22 March Friendly | Botswana | 0–0 | | Antananarivo, Madagascar |
| Stadium: Mahamasina Municipal Stadium |
| 25 March Friendly | Burundi | 0–0 | | Antananarivo, Madagascar |
| Stadium: Mahamasina Municipal Stadium |
| 7 June 2026 World Cup qualification | Uganda | 1–0 | | Kampala, Uganda |
| 19:00 UTC+3 |
|
Report | Stadium: Mandela National Stadium Attendance: 45,000 Referee: Clement Franklin Kpan (Ivory Coast) |
| 10 June 2026 World Cup qualification | Somalia | 1–3 | | Maputo, Mozambique |
| 15:00 UTC+2 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Estádio do Zimpeto Referee: Emmanuel Mensah (Liberia) |
| 26 June 2024 COSAFA Cup | Eswatini | 0–0 | | Gqeberha, South Africa |
| 15:00 | Report | Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium |
| 29 June 2024 COSAFA Cup | South Africa | 0–0 | | Gqeberha, South Africa |
| 15:00 | Report | Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium |
| 2 July 2024 COSAFA Cup | Mozambique | 3–1 | | Gqeberha, South Africa |
| 15:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium |
2025
edit| March 2025 2026 World Cup qualification | Botswana | v | |
| March 2025 2026 World Cup qualification | Botswana | v | |
| September 2025 2026 World Cup qualification | Algeria | v | |
| September 2025 2026 World Cup qualification | Mozambique | v | |
| October 2025 2026 World Cup qualification | Botswana | v | |
| October 2025 2026 World Cup qualification | Guinea | v | |
Coaching history
edit- Caretaker managers are listed in italics.
Thomas Johnson (1973)
Rudi Gutendorf (1976)
Peter Cormack (1986–1987)
Kenny Mwape (1990–1992)
Freddie Mwila (1994–1996)
Michael Gaborone (1996–1997)
Jeff Butler (1999)
Veselin Jelušić (2002–2005)
Adel Amrouche (2019–2022)
Rahman Gumbo (2022)
Didier Gomes Da Rosa (2023-)
Players
editCurrent squad
editThe following players were called up for the 2024 COSAFA Cup.[4]
Caps and goals correct as of 26 June 2024, after the match against Eswatini
Recent call-ups
editThe following players were last called up within the last twelve months.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Kabelo Dambe | 10 May 1990 | 63 | 0 | v. | |
| GK | Goitseone Phoko | 13 December 1994 | 27 | 1 | v. | |
| GK | Thabo Motswagole | 22 April 2000 | 1 | 0 | v. | |
| DF | Mosha Gaolaolwe | 25 December 1993 | 79 | 2 | v. | |
| DF | Thatayaone Ditlhokwe | 21 September 1998 | 31 | 2 | v. | |
| DF | Alfred Velaphi | 18 January 1999 | 23 | 0 | v. | |
| DF | Motsholetsi Sikele | 1 December 1991 | 4 | 0 | v. | |
| DF | Mothusi Johnson | 28 July 1997 | 24 | 0 | v. | |
| DF | Thato Kebue | 29 May 1997 | 34 | 2 | v. | |
| MF | Gape Mohutsiwa | 20 March 1997 | 22 | 2 | v. | |
| MF | Godiraone Modingwane | 26 June 1996 | 19 | 0 | v. | |
| MF | Gilbert Baruti | 16 March 1992 | 9 | 0 | v. | |
| MF | Phenyo Serameng | 27 September 1996 | 4 | 0 | v. | |
| MF | Koketso Majafi | 7 November 1992 | 1 | 0 | v. | |
| MF | Mpho Kgaswane | 13 June 1994 | 21 | 2 | v. | |
| MF | Christopher Lemme | 5 November 1995 | 3 | 0 | v. | |
| MF | Thabo Leinanyane | 27 July 1993 | 17 | 0 | v. | |
| MF | Lebogang Ditsele | 20 April 1996 | 54 | 3 | v. | |
| MF | Mothusi Cooper | 19 July 1997 | 25 | 0 | v. | |
| MF | Brandon Wilson | 28 January 1997 | 0 | 0 | v. | |
| MF | Gofaone Mabaya | 31 August 1995 | 18 | 0 | v. | |
| MF | Lemogang Maswena | 5 February 1991 | 7 | 1 | v. | |
| MF | Thabang Aphiri | 3 August 2003 | 1 | 0 | v. | |
| FW | Kabelo Seakanyeng | 25 June 1993 | 61 | 10 | v. | |
| FW | Tumisang Orebonye | 26 March 1996 | 48 | 5 | v. | |
| FW | Segolame Boy | 7 November 1992 | 40 | 4 | v. | |
| FW | Thabang Sesinyi | 15 October 1992 | 23 | 3 | v. | |
| FW | Thatayaone Kgamanyane | 30 January 1996 | 26 | 5 | v. | |
| FW | Monty Enosa | 6 February 2004 | 5 | 0 | v. | |
Player records
edit- As of 10 June 2024[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 | Mosha Gaolaolwe | 79 | 2 | 2013–present |
| 5 | Ndiapo Letsholathebe | 78 | 0 | 2003–2013 |
| 6 | Tshepo Motlhabankwe | 76 | 2 | 2003–2013 |
| 7 | Mogogi Gabonamong | 74 | 4 | 1999–2015 |
| 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 |
| Kabelo Seakanyeng | 10 | 61 | 0.16 | 2014–present | |
| 7 | Moemedi Moatlhaping | 9 | 50 | 0.18 | 2004–2013 |
| 8 | Tshepiso Molwantwa | 8 | 44 | 0.18 | 1998–2006 |
| 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
editFIFA World Cup
edit| FIFA World Cup record | Qualification record | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |||||||||||||
| Did not qualify | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 9 | |||||||||
| Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||
| Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |||||||||
| 12 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 14 | 19 | ||||||||||
| 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 8 | ||||||||||
| 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 10 | ||||||||||
| 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 | ||||||||||
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||
| To be determined | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 5 | |||||||||
| To be determined | |||||||||||||||
| Total | 0/11 | 40 | 12 | 6 | 22 | 39 | 58 | ||||||||
Africa Cup of Nations
edit| Africa Cup of Nations record | Qualification record | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | ||
| Part of |
Part of | |||||||||||||||
| Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | |||||||||||||||
| Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||||
| Did not qualify | ||||||||||||||||
| Group stage | 14th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 9 | |||||||||
| Did not qualify | ||||||||||||||||
| To be determined | To be determined | |||||||||||||||
| Total | Group stage | 1/34 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 9 | ||||||||
COSAFA Cup
editHead-to-head record
editAs of 2 July 2024 after match against Mozambique[6]
| Positive balance (more Wins) | |
| Neutral balance (Wins = Losses) | |
| Negative balance (more Losses) |
| Opponent |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | −6 | |
| 14 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 14 | −8 | |
| 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 | −4 | |
| 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | +1 | |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 | |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | −5 | |
| 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | |
| 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 4 | −4 | |
| 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 7 | −6 | |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | –1 | |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | |
| 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 4 | +3 | |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | |
| 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 18 | −15 | |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 11 | −10 | |
| 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 10 | −3 | |
| 31 | 15 | 11 | 5 | 39 | 23 | +16 | |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | −1 | |
| 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | −2 | |
| 25 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 21 | 47 | −26 | |
| 7 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 19 | −14 | |
| 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | −5 | |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | +5 | |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | −2 | |
| 24 | 5 | 5 | 14 | 19 | 38 | −19 | |
| 20 | 7 | 11 | 2 | 19 | 18 | +1 | |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | −2 | |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | −5 | |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | +7 | |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | |
| 20 | 0 | 6 | 14 | 10 | 31 | −21 | |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | |
| 31 | 16 | 10 | 5 | 45 | 25 | +20 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | |
| 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 9 | −2 | |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 12 | −7 | |
| 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 8 | −6 | |
| 26 | 4 | 7 | 15 | 12 | 39 | −27 | |
| 19 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 9 | 23 | −14 | |
| Total | 345 | 92 | 95 | 158 | 280 | 431 | −151 |
References
edit- ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 18 July 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
- ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 15 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Final Squad". Twitter. Botswana Football Association.
- ^ "Botswana – Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2022-07-10. Retrieved 2017-02-02.
- ^ "World Football Elo Ratings: Botswana". Elo Ratings. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
External links
edit- Botswana FA official site
- Botswana at CAF
- Botswana at FIFA