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Botswana national football team facts for kids

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Botswana
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) Dipitse (The Zebras)
Association BFA
Confederation CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation COSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coach Mogomotsi Mpote
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 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.

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 lead 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 morr 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.

Fixtures

2022

2023

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–)

Players

Current squad

  • The following players were called up for the friendly match.
  • Match dates: 17 November 2022
  • Opposition:  Angola
  • Caps and goals correct as of: 27 September 2022, after the match against  South Africa.
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Lesenya Malapela (1996-07-10) 10 July 1996 (age 27) 2 0 Botswana Orapa United
1GK Kenneth Mmoko Unknown 0 0 Botswana Uniao Flamengo Santos
1GK Goitseone Phoko (1994-12-13) 13 December 1994 (age 29) 7 0 Botswana Gaborone United

2DF Thatayaone Ditlhokwe (1998-09-21) 21 September 1998 (age 25) 21 2 South Africa SuperSport United
2DF Mosha Gaolaolwe (1993-12-25) 25 December 1993 (age 30) 64 1 Botswana Township Rollers
2DF Mothusi Johnson (1997-07-28) 28 July 1997 (age 26) 14 0 Botswana Orapa United
2DF Thato Kebue (1997-05-29) 29 May 1997 (age 26) 20 0 Botswana Gaborone United
2DF Tebogo Kopelang (2000-04-24) 24 April 2000 (age 23) 0 0 Botswana Security Systems
2DF Tawana Mbakile (2000-07-14) 14 July 2000 (age 23) 0 0 Botswana Security Systems
2DF Goitseone Legopelo (1997-06-02) 2 June 1997 (age 26) 1 0 Botswana Uniao Flamengo Santos

3MF Mothusi Cooper (1997-07-19) 19 July 1997 (age 26) 12 0 Botswana Gaborone United
3MF Lebogang Ditsele (1996-04-20) 20 April 1996 (age 27) 34 1 Botswana Gaborone United
3MF Thatayaone Kgamanyane (1996-01-30) 30 January 1996 (age 28) 18 4 Botswana Gaborone United
3MF Gofaone Mabaya (1995-08-31) 31 August 1995 (age 28) 8 0 Botswana Orapa United
3MF Godiraone Modingwane (1996-06-26) 26 June 1996 (age 27) 2 0 Botswana Botswana Defence Force
3MF Ethany Mahoto (1999-01-20) 20 January 1999 (age 25) 1 0 Sweden Gottne
3MF Gape Mohutsiwa (1997-03-20) 20 March 1997 (age 27) 9 1 Algeria ASO Chlef
3MF Phenyo Serameng (1996-09-27) 27 September 1996 (age 27) 1 0 Botswana Township Rollers
3MF Thero Setsile (1995-10-08) 8 October 1995 (age 28) 26 2 Botswana Gaborone United

4FW Mpho Kgaswane (1994-06-13) 13 June 1994 (age 29) 19 2 Botswana Gaborone United
4FW Tumisang Orebonye (1996-03-26) 26 March 1996 (age 28) 36 5 Morocco Olympique Khouribga
4FW Baokeditswe Talane (2000-02-18) 18 February 2000 (age 24) 5 1 Botswana Orapa United
4FW Kabelo Seakanyeng (1993-06-25) 25 June 1993 (age 30) 48 6 United Arab Emirates Dibba Al Fujairah
4FW Molaodi Tlhalefang (1997-07-07) 7 July 1997 (age 26) 1 0 Botswana Miscellaneous SC Serowe

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 Ryan Brown (2000-07-30) 30 July 2000 (age 23) 0 0 Botswana Jwaneng Galaxy v.  South Africa, 17 July 2022

DF Alfred Velaphi (1999-01-18) 18 January 1999 (age 25) 7 0 Botswana Gaborone United v.  South Africa, 17 July 2022
DF Kitso Mangolo (1999-01-06) 6 January 1999 (age 25) 6 1 Botswana Security Systems v.  South Africa, 17 July 2022
DF Tlamelo Kolagano (2001-08-02) 2 August 2001 (age 22) 4 0 Botswana Orapa United v.  South Africa, 17 July 2022
DF Doctor David (2001-05-15) 15 May 2001 (age 22) 3 0 Botswana Jwaneng Galaxy v.  South Africa, 17 July 2022
DF Thobo Seeleko (1999-09-05) 5 September 1999 (age 24) 1 0 Botswana Morupule Wanderers v.  South Africa, 17 July 2022
DF Obusitswe Gabadise (1999-04-25) 25 April 1999 (age 24) 0 0 Botswana Extension Gunners v.  South Africa, 17 July 2022
DF Botsile Sakana (2001-01-26) 26 January 2001 (age 23) 0 0 Botswana Gilport Lions v.  South Africa, 17 July 2022
DF Lesenya Ramoraka (1994-04-04) 4 April 1994 (age 29) 20 0 Botswana Orapa United v.  Tunisia, 5 June 2022

MF Gape Thibedi (2000-02-02) 2 February 2000 (age 24) 6 0 Botswana Gaborone United v.  South Africa, 17 July 2022
MF Resaobaka Thatanyane (1999-02-12) 12 February 1999 (age 25) 5 1 Botswana Jwaneng Galaxy v.  South Africa, 17 July 2022
MF Omphile Ramoagi (2004-01-03) 3 January 2004 (age 20) 2 0 Botswana Gaborone United v.  South Africa, 17 July 2022

FW Odirile Lekoba (2002-01-09) 9 January 2002 (age 22) 6 0 Botswana Extension Gunners v.  South Africa, 17 July 2022
FW Godfrey Tauyatswala (1999-02-12) 12 February 1999 (age 25) 5 0 Botswana Botswana Defence Force v.  South Africa, 17 July 2022
FW Bame Morwalela (1999-03-25) 25 March 1999 (age 25) 2 1 Botswana Township Rollers v.  South Africa, 17 July 2022
FW Kitso Mpuisang (1997-11-14) 14 November 1997 (age 26) 2 0 Botswana Prisons XI v.  South Africa, 17 July 2022
FW Monty Enosa (2004-02-06) 6 February 2004 (age 20) 1 0 Botswana Eleven Angels v.  South Africa, 17 July 2022
FW Thabang Sesinyi (1992-10-15) 15 October 1992 (age 31) 13 2 Botswana Jwaneng Galaxy v.  Tunisia, 5 June 2022

Player records

Players in bold are still active with Botswana.

Competition records

World Cup

Final Qualification
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
Mexico 1970 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
West Germany 1974
Argentina 1978
Spain 1982 Did not enter Declined participation
Mexico 1986
Italy 1990
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
Total 36 10 6 20 33 53

Africa Cup of Nations

Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
Ethiopia 1968 to Ethiopia 1976 Not affiliated to CAF
Ghana 1978 to Senegal 1992 Did not enter
Tunisia 1994 to Angola 2010 Did not qualify
Gabon Equatorial Guinea 2012 Round 1 14th 3 0 0 3 2 9
South Africa 2013 to Cameroon 2021 Did not qualify
Ivory Coast 2023
Total 3 0 0 3 2 9

Head-to-head record

As of 18 November 2019 after match against  Algeria

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

See also

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