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Botswana national football team facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
This page is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Botswana women's national football team.
Quick facts for kids
Botswana
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) Dipitse (The Zebras)
Association BFA
Confederation CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation COSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coach Morena Ramoreboli Interim
Captain Thatayaone Ditlhokwe
Most caps Joel Mogorosi (92)
Top scorer Jerome Ramatlhakwane (24)
Home stadium Botswana National Stadium
FIFA code BOT
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 145 Steady (7 February 2019)
Highest 53 (December 2010)
Lowest 165 (November 1999 – February 2000)
Elo ranking
Current 133 Increase 15 (3 March 2019)
Highest 98 (August 2011)
Lowest 187 (March 1997)
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
COSAFA Cup
Silver 2016 Namibia Team
Silver 2019 South Africa

The Botswana national football team (Tswana: Setlhopha sa bosetšhaba sa kgwele ya dinao sa Botswana) was founded in 1970 to represent Botswana in association football and is governed by the Botswana Football Association (BFA). The team has qualified for two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations .

History

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.

Botswana made a poor start to their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign, with two losses leading many to believe they had little chance of making it to Morocco. Despite this, they then picked up eight points from a possible twelve on offer, a 1-1 draw away at Egypt in their last match of the campaign sealing qualification for only their second ever Africa Cup of Nations. This was despite manager Didier Gomes Da Rosa resigning to take charge of Al Ahli, meaning Morena Ramoreboli took interim charge for the team's last two matches.

Results and fixtures

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

2024

2025

Coaching history

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.
  • South Africa Thomas Johnson (1973)
  • West Germany Rudi Gutendorf (1976)
  • Scotland Peter Cormack (1986–1987)
  • Zambia Kenny Mwape (1990–1992)
  • Zambia Freddie Mwila (1992–1994)
  • Zambia Freddie Mwila (1994–1996)
  • Botswana Michael Gaborone (1996–1997)
  • Botswana David Bright (1997–1998)
  • Botswana David Bright (1999)
  • England Jeff Butler (1999)
  • Botswana David Bright (2000)
  • Germany Karl-Heinz Marotzke (2001)
  • Serbia and Montenegro Veselin Jelušić (2002–2005)
  • Botswana David Bright (2006)
  • England Colwyn Rowe (2006–2008)
  • Botswana Stanley Tshosane (2008–2013)
  • England Peter Butler (2014–2017)
  • Botswana Mogomotsi Mpote (2017)
  • Botswana David Bright (2017–2019)
  • Botswana Mfolo Mfolo (2019)
  • Botswana Mogomotsi Mpote (2019)
  • Algeria Adel Amrouche (2019–2022)
  • Zimbabwe Rahman Gumbo (2022)
  • Botswana Mogomotsi Mpote (2022–2023)
  • France Didier Gomes Da Rosa (2023-2024)
  • South Africa Morena Ramoreboli Interim(2024-)

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2024 COSAFA Cup.

Caps and goals correct as of 26 June 2024, after the match against Eswatini

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Victor James (2002-08-27) 27 August 2002 (age 22) 1 0 Botswana Masitaoka
1GK Karamelo Kgosipula (2003-02-06) 6 February 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Botswana Matebele
1GK Kenneth Mmoko (1999-10-13) 13 October 1999 (age 25) 0 0 Botswana Sua Flamingoes
1GK Jovan Nikolic (2001-09-09) 9 September 2001 (age 23) 0 0 Portugal Marinhense
2DF Tebogo Kopelang (2000-04-24) 24 April 2000 (age 24) 21 0 Botswana Security Systems
2DF Kitso Mangolo (1999-01-06) 6 January 1999 (age 25) 20 1 Tanzania Ihefu
2DF Thabo Babutsi (2000-07-24) 24 July 2000 (age 24) 3 0 Botswana Township Rollers
2DF Atamelang Lesogo 1 0 Botswana Orapa United
2DF Botsile Sakana (2001-01-26) 26 January 2001 (age 23) 1 0 Botswana Masitaoka
2DF Obakeng Senono (1999-09-29) 29 September 1999 (age 25) 1 0 Botswana Masitaoka
2DF Leruo Ratala (2002-03-28) 28 March 2002 (age 22) 0 0 Botswana Gaborone United
2DF Bonno Sepako 0 0 Botswana UB Hawks
3MF Gape Thibedi (2000-02-02) 2 February 2000 (age 24) 11 0 Botswana Gaborone United
3MF Olebogeng Ramotse (1998-01-17) 17 January 1998 (age 26) 9 0 Botswana Masitaoka
3MF Tawana Mbakile (2000-07-14) 14 July 2000 (age 24) 5 0 Botswana Security Systems
3MF Obakeng Ramotlhwa (1999-07-26) 26 July 1999 (age 25) 1 0 Botswana Masitaoka
3MF Ricky Ratlhogo (2000-12-08) 8 December 2000 (age 24) 1 0 Botswana Orapa United
3MF Ofentse Mbaiwa (2003-06-10) 10 June 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Botswana Eleven Angels
3MF Boniface Ramolale (2002-04-03) 3 April 2002 (age 22) 0 0 Botswana Masitaoka
3MF Shaun Theron (2003-03-11) 11 March 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Botswana Jwaneng Galaxy
4FW Molaodi Tlhalefang (1997-07-07) 7 July 1997 (age 27) 11 2 Botswana Miscellaneous SC Serowe
4FW Eric Ookame (2001-04-03) 3 April 2001 (age 23) 4 0 Botswana Eleven Angels
4FW Oarabile Sekwai (1998-11-28) 28 November 1998 (age 26) 4 0 Botswana Police XI
4FW Lizo Skweyiya (2004-01-01) 1 January 2004 (age 20) 4 0 South Africa Orlando Pirates
4FW Thabiso Bante (1995-04-25) 25 April 1995 (age 29) 2 0 Botswana TAFIC
4FW Tshepo Keselebale 2 0 Botswana Security Systems
4FW Bame Morwalela (1999-03-25) 25 March 1999 (age 25) 2 1 Botswana Township Rollers

Recent call-ups

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 Kabelo Dambe (1990-05-10) 10 May 1990 (age 34) 63 0 Botswana Township Rollers v.  Somalia, 10 June 2024
GK Goitseone Phoko (1994-12-13) 13 December 1994 (age 30) 27 1 Botswana Gaborone United v.  Somalia, 10 June 2024
GK Thabo Motswagole (2000-04-22) 22 April 2000 (age 24) 1 0 Botswana Masitaoka v.  Somalia, 10 June 2024
DF Mosha Gaolaolwe (1993-12-25) 25 December 1993 (age 30) 79 2 Botswana Township Rollers v.  Somalia, 10 June 2024
DF Thatayaone Ditlhokwe (1998-09-21) 21 September 1998 (age 26) 31 2 South Africa Kaizer Chiefs v.  Somalia, 10 June 2024
DF Alfred Velaphi (1999-01-18) 18 January 1999 (age 25) 23 0 Botswana Gaborone United v.  Somalia, 10 June 2024
DF Motsholetsi Sikele (1991-12-01) 1 December 1991 (age 33) 4 0 Botswana Township Rollers v.  Somalia, 10 June 2024
DF Mothusi Johnson (1997-07-28) 28 July 1997 (age 27) 24 0 Botswana Gaborone United v.  Burundi, 25 March 2024
DF Thato Kebue (1997-05-29) 29 May 1997 (age 27) 34 2 Botswana Gaborone United v.  Guinea, 21 November 2023
MF Gape Mohutsiwa (1997-03-20) 20 March 1997 (age 27) 22 2 Algeria ASO Chlef v.  Somalia, 10 June 2024
MF Godiraone Modingwane (1996-06-26) 26 June 1996 (age 28) 19 0 Botswana Botswana Defence Force v.  Somalia, 10 June 2024
MF Gilbert Baruti (1992-03-16) 16 March 1992 (age 32) 9 0 Botswana Jwaneng Galaxy v.  Somalia, 10 June 2024
MF Phenyo Serameng (1996-09-27) 27 September 1996 (age 28) 4 0 Botswana Township Rollers v.  Somalia, 10 June 2024
MF Koketso Majafi (1992-11-07) 7 November 1992 (age 32) 1 0 Botswana Orapa United v.  Somalia, 10 June 2024
MF Mpho Kgaswane (1994-06-13) 13 June 1994 (age 30) 21 2 Botswana Gaborone United v.  Burundi, 25 March 2024
MF Christopher Lemme (1995-11-05) 5 November 1995 (age 29) 3 0 Botswana Security Systems v.  Burundi, 25 March 2024
MF Thabo Leinanyane (1993-07-27) 27 July 1993 (age 31) 17 0 Botswana Jwaneng Galaxy v.  Mozambique, 8 January 2024
MF Lebogang Ditsele (1996-04-20) 20 April 1996 (age 28) 54 3 Botswana Gaborone United v.  Guinea, 21 November 2023
MF Mothusi Cooper (1997-07-19) 19 July 1997 (age 27) 25 0 Botswana Gaborone United v.  Guinea, 21 November 2023
MF Brandon Wilson (1997-01-28) 28 January 1997 (age 27) 0 0 Indonesia Bali United v.  Guinea, 21 November 2023
MF Gofaone Mabaya (1995-08-31) 31 August 1995 (age 29) 18 0 Botswana Orapa United v.  Zimbabwe, 30 September 2023
MF Lemogang Maswena (1991-02-05) 5 February 1991 (age 33) 7 1 Botswana Jwaneng Galaxy v.  Zimbabwe, 30 September 2023
MF Thabang Aphiri (2003-08-03) 3 August 2003 (age 21) 1 0 Botswana Jwaneng Galaxy v.  Zimbabwe, 30 September 2023
FW Kabelo Seakanyeng (1993-06-25) 25 June 1993 (age 31) 61 10 Morocco Olympique Khouribga v.  Somalia, 10 June 2024
FW Tumisang Orebonye (1996-03-26) 26 March 1996 (age 28) 48 5 Morocco AS FAR v.  Somalia, 10 June 2024
FW Segolame Boy (1992-11-07) 7 November 1992 (age 32) 40 4 Botswana Township Rollers v.  Somalia, 10 June 2024
FW Thabang Sesinyi (1992-10-15) 15 October 1992 (age 32) 23 3 Botswana Jwaneng Galaxy v.  Somalia, 10 June 2024
FW Thatayaone Kgamanyane (1996-01-30) 30 January 1996 (age 28) 26 5 Botswana Gaborone United v.  Mozambique, 8 January 2024
FW Monty Enosa (2004-02-06) 6 February 2004 (age 20) 5 0 Botswana Masitaoka v.  Zimbabwe, 30 September 2023

Player records

Players in bold are still active with Botswana.

Most appearances

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
Mosha Gaolaolwe 85 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 Kabelo Seakanyeng 67 10 2014–present
10 Lemponye Tshireletso 64 11 2009–2020

Top goalscorers

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 67 0.15 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 Tumisang Orebonye 6 54 0.11 2017–present

Competitive records

FIFA World Cup

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
United States 1994 Did not qualify 4 0 1 3 1 9
France 1998 Did not enter Did not enter
South Korea Japan 2002 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 0 2
Germany 2006 12 4 1 7 14 19
South Africa 2010 6 1 2 3 3 8
Brazil 2014 6 2 1 3 8 10
Russia 2018 4 3 0 1 7 4
Qatar 2022 2 0 1 1 0 1
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined 4 2 0 2 6 5
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 To be determined
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total 0/11 40 12 6 22 39 58

Africa Cup of Nations

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
Sudan 1957 Part of  United Kingdom Part of  United Kingdom
United Arab Republic 1959
Ethiopia 1962
Ghana 1963
Tunisia 1965
Ethiopia 1968 Not affiliated to CAF Not affiliated to CAF
Sudan 1970
Egypt 1974
Ethiopia 1976
Ghana 1978 Did not enter Did not enter
Nigeria 1980
Libya 1982
Ivory Coast 1984
Egypt 1986
Morocco 1988
Algeria 1990
Senegal 1992
Tunisia 1994 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 0 4
South Africa 1996 10 0 2 8 5 27
Burkina Faso 1998 2 0 1 1 0 6
Ghana Nigeria 2000 2 0 1 1 1 2
Mali 2002 2 1 0 1 1 3
Tunisia 2004 6 0 3 3 2 6
Egypt 2006 12 4 1 7 14 19
Ghana 2008 6 2 1 3 3 7
Angola 2010 6 1 2 3 3 8
Equatorial Guinea Gabon 2012 Group stage 14th 3 0 0 3 2 9 8 5 2 1 7 3
South Africa 2013 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 1 7
Equatorial Guinea 2015 8 1 2 5 2 11
Gabon 2017 6 2 0 4 5 8
Egypt 2019 6 0 1 5 1 8
Cameroon 2021 6 1 1 4 2 9
Ivory Coast 2023 6 1 1 4 3 9
Morocco 2025 Qualified 6 2 2 2 4 7
Kenya Tanzania Uganda 2027 To be determined To be determined
2029
Total Group stage 1/34 3 0 0 3 2 9 96 20 20 55 54 144

COSAFA Cup

Main article: COSAFA Cup

Head-to-head record

As of 19 November 2024 after match against  Egypt

Key
Positive balance (more Wins)
Neutral balance (Wins = Losses)
Negative balance (more Losses)
Opponent
 Pld
 W
 D
 L
 GF
 GA
 GD
 Algeria 2 0 0 2 0 6 −6
 Angola 14 2 6 6 6 14 −8
 Burkina Faso 6 2 1 3 3 7 −4
 Burundi 5 2 2 1 2 1 +1
 Central African Republic 2 1 0 1 3 4 −1
 Cameroon 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
 Cape Verde 2 2 0 0 2 0 +2
 Chad 2 2 0 0 2 0 +2
 China 2 0 0 2 1 6 −5
 Comoros 4 2 1 1 3 2 +1
 DR Congo 5 0 3 2 0 4 −4
 Egypt 8 0 3 5 2 12 −10
 Equatorial Guinea 3 1 0 2 4 5 –1
 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 6 1 0 5 3 18 −15
 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 31 15 11 5 39 23 +16
 Liberia 1 0 1 1 1 3 −2
 Libya 5 1 2 2 1 2 −1
 Madagascar 8 1 2 3 4 5 −1
 Malawi 25 5 8 12 21 47 −26
 Mali 7 1 0 6 5 19 −14
 Mauritania 6 1 1 4 4 10 −6
 Mauritius 3 1 1 1 6 1 +5
 Morocco 2 0 0 2 0 2 −2
 Mozambique 24 5 5 14 19 38 −19
 Namibia 20 7 11 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
 Rwanda 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
 Seychelles 4 4 0 0 8 1 +7
 Somalia 1 1 0 0 3 1 +2
 South Africa 20 0 6 14 10 31 −21
 South Sudan 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3
 Swaziland 31 16 10 5 45 25 +20
 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 8 2 2 4 5 12 −7
 Uganda 6 0 2 4 2 8 −6
 Zambia 26 4 7 15 12 39 −27
 Zimbabwe 19 4 5 10 9 23 −14
Total 351 94 97 160 284 438 −154

Honours

Regional

  • COSAFA Cup
    • Runners-up (2): 2016, 2019

See also

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