Botswana national football team
The Botswana national football team, nicknamed The Zebras (Setswana: Dipitse), was founded in 1970 to represent Botswana in men's international football and is governed by the Botswana Football Association (BFA). They have never qualified for the FIFA World Cup but they did qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.[2] The team represents both FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF).
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Nickname(s) | Dipitse (The Zebras) | |||
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Association | Botswana Football Association | |||
Confederation | CAF (Africa) | |||
Sub-confederation | COSAFA (Southern Africa) | |||
Head coach | Adel Amrouche | |||
Captain | Kabelo Dambe | |||
Most caps | Joel Mogorosi (92) | |||
Top scorer | Jerome Ramatlhakwane (24) | |||
Home stadium | Botswana National Stadium | |||
FIFA code | BOT | |||
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FIFA ranking | ||||
Current | 148 ![]() | |||
Highest | 53 (December 2010) | |||
Lowest | 165 (November 1999 – February 2000) | |||
First international | ||||
![]() ![]() (Malawi; 13 July 1968) | ||||
Biggest win | ||||
![]() ![]() (Polokwane, South Africa; 1 June 2018) | ||||
Biggest defeat | ||||
![]() ![]() (Malawi; 13 July 1968) ![]() ![]() (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
Although Botswana have entered the FIFA World Cup preliminary stages five times, it took them nearly eleven years after playing their first match to register their first victory which was a 4–1 victory in the African pre-preliminary qualifying rounds for Germany 2006 against Lesotho.
The southern African nation took part in their first preliminary competition for the 1994 World Cup in the United States, where they faced Niger and Ivory Coast. They managed a 0–0 draw with the latter in Gaborone, but lost their other three matches, finishing last in their group.
The next competition they entered was for the 2002 World Cup, where they faced Zambia in a two-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 suffered some poor results with the team losing 3–0 to Zambia, and losing to second-string sides from South Africa and Zimbabwe at home in Gaborone, frustrating many supporters. A draw with Madagascar which was ranked at 146th in the world at the time, led Botswana FA to sack manager Colwyn Rowe, despite him leading Botswana to their then-highest ever FIFA ranking of 95th. The BFA claimed this move was taken because they feared for his safety from angry fans. Stanley Tshosane was named as his replacement and in his first game in charge, Botswana achieved an impressive 2–1 win away to Mozambique to put them in a relatively strong position in their qualifying group. Despite also achieving a creditable draw with Ivory Coast, Botswana finished bottom of their qualifying group for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
This disappointment was followed by the most successful period in Botswana's history. Botswana defied their ranking to become the first team to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, beating Tunisia both at home and away. This success coincided with a rise to their highest ever FIFA ranking of 53rd. They did not manage to build upon this upturn in form at the tournament, losing narrowly to Ghana and Mali and heavily to Guinea to finish bottom of their group with zero points.
The truncated qualification format for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations saw them face Mali in a two-legged tie, which they lost 7–1 on aggregate. They then failed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup, finishing third in their group with seven points behind South Africa and Ethiopia.
In October 2013, the Botswana Football Association sacked Tshosane, citing his "failing to meet the targets set for him". They subsequently appointed Englishman Peter Butler in February 2014.
Since then, the qualification to major tournaments has continued to elude Botswana. Despite beating Burundi and Guinea-Bissau in the knockout rounds, they finished last in their difficult qualifying group for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations with just a single point. In their qualifying group for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, they finished third - seven points behind qualifiers Burkina Faso and Uganda. In the qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup, they beat Eritrea in the first round and won 2–1 at home against Mali in the first leg of the second round. However, 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 fourth time after the BFA chose not to renew Butler's contract. He led the team during qualifiers for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations but results were poor with Botswana only scoring one goal in their six Group I matches.
Results and fixtures
Win Draw Loss Fixture
2021
6 July 2021 COSAFA Cup Group A | South Africa ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() | Port Elizabeth, South Africa |
17:00 UTC+2 |
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Report |
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Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Referee: Abongile Tom (South Africa) |
10 July 2021 COSAFA Cup Group A | Lesotho ![]() | 0–4 | ![]() | Port Elizabeth, South Africa |
12:00 UTC+2 |
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Report |
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Stadium: Wolfson Stadium Referee: Thulani Sibandze (Eswatini) |
13 July 2021 COSAFA Cup Group A | Botswana ![]() | 1–2 | ![]() | Port Elizabeth, South Africa |
15:00 UTC+2 |
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Report |
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Stadium: Wolfson Stadium Referee: Thulani Sibandze (Eswatini) |
14 July 2021 COSAFA Cup Group A | Eswatini ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() | Port Elizabeth, South Africa |
15:00 UTC+2 |
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Report |
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Stadium: Wolfson Stadium Referee: Audrick Nkole (Zambia) |
2022
21 March 2023 AFCON Q preliminary round | Eritrea ![]() | Cancelled | ![]() | Asmara, Eritrea |
Stadium: Cicero Stadium | ||||
Note: Eritrea withdrew from the competition |
29 March 2023 AFCON Q preliminary round | Botswana ![]() | Cancelled | ![]() | Gaborone, Botswana |
Stadium: Botswana National Stadium | ||||
Note: Eritrea withdrew from the competition |
Coaching history
Thomas Johnson (1973)
Rudi Gutendorf (1976)
Peter Cormack (1986–87)
Kenny Mwape (1990–92)
Freddie Mwila (1992–94)
Freddie Mwila (1994–96)
Michael Gaborone (1996–97)
David Bright (1997–98)
David Bright (1999)
Jeff Butler (1999)
David Bright (2000)
Karl-Heinz Marotzke (2001)
Veselin Jelušić (2002–05)
David Bright (2006, caretaker)
Colwyn Rowe (2006–08)
Stanley Tshosane (2008–2013)
Peter Butler (2014–17)
Mogomotsi Mpote (2017, caretaker)
David Bright (2017–2019)
Mfolo Mfolo (2019, caretaker)
Mogomotsi Mpote (2019, caretaker)
Adel Amrouche (2019– )
Players
Current squad
The following players were called up for the provisional squad for the 2021 COSAFA Cup.[3]
Caps and goals correct as of 14 July 2021 after the match against Eswatini.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
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GK | Ezekiel Morake | 21 March 1996 | 10 | 0 | ![]() | |
GK | Lesenya Malapela | 10 July 1996 | 2 | 0 | ![]() | |
GK | Keeagile Kgosipula | 2 January 1996 | 2 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Goitseone Legopelo | 2 June 1997 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Thabo Leinanyane | 27 July 1993 | 17 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Mothusi Johnson | 28 July 1997 | 12 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Kitso Mangolo | 6 January 1999 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Thatayaone Ditlhokwe | 21 September 1998 | 19 | 2 | ![]() | |
DF | Thato Kabue | 29 May 1997 | 19 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Mosha Gaolaolwe | 25 December 1993 | 62 | 1 | ![]() | |
DF | Fortunate Thulare | 1 June 1994 | 6 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Mothusi Cooper | 19 July 1997 | 10 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Godiraone Modingwane | 19 July 1997 | 10 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Gape Gaogangwe | 15 September 1998 | 8 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Kutlwelo Mpolokang | 9 February 1996 | 5 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Gape Mohutsiwa | 20 March 1997 | 13 | 1 | ![]() | |
MF | Segolame Boy | 7 November 1992 | 36 | 4 | ![]() | |
MF | Thatayaone Kgamanyane | 30 January 1996 | 16 | 4 | ![]() | |
FW | Mpho Kgomo | 25 May 1998 | 3 | 0 | ![]() | |
FW | Tshepo Malgas | 11 May 1998 | 0 | 0 | ||
FW | Thero Setsile | 8 October 1995 | 24 | 2 | ![]() | |
FW | Kago Monyake | 28 July 1999 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
FW | Kabelo Seakanyeng | 25 June 1993 | 46 | 6 | ![]() | |
FW | Elias Mbatshi | 10 July 1995 | 7 | 0 | ![]() | |
FW | Tumisang Orebonye | 26 March 1996 | 34 | 5 | ![]() | |
FW | Godfrey Tauyatswala | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
Recent call-ups
The following players have also been called up to the Botswana squad within the last twelve months.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Kabelo Dambe | 10 May 1990 | 62 | 0 | ![]() |
v. Algeria; March 29, 2021 |
GK | Goitseone Phoko | 13 December 1994 | 5 | 0 | ![]() |
v. Algeria; March 29, 2021 |
DF | Tshepo Maikano | 11 July 1988 | 18 | 1 | ![]() |
v. Algeria; March 29, 2021 |
DF | Simisani Mathumo | 11 November 1991 | 20 | 0 | ![]() |
v. Algeria; March 29, 2021 |
DF | Onkarabile Ratanang | 16 March 1998 | 8 | 0 | ![]() |
v. Algeria; March 29, 2021 |
DF | Tendai Kesekile | 21 July 1992 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. Algeria; March 29, 2021 |
DF | Osego Gaotewe | 28 March 1987 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. Algeria; March 29, 2021 |
DF | Basiamisi Sebapalo | 19 August 1995 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. Algeria; March 29, 2021 |
MF | Tlhalefo Molebatsi | 22 October 1994 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
v. Algeria; March 29, 2021 |
MF | Mogakolodi Ngele | 6 October 1990 | 47 | 4 | ![]() |
v. Algeria; March 29, 2021 |
MF | Kobamelo Kebaikanye | 27 August 1991 | 9 | 0 | ![]() |
v. Algeria; March 29, 2021 |
MF | Tapiwa Gadibolae | 26 February 1993 | 22 | 1 | ![]() |
v. Algeria; March 29, 2021 |
FW | Onkabetse Makgantai | 1 July 1995 | 27 | 10 | ![]() |
v. Algeria; March 29, 2021 |
INJ Withdrew due to injury |
Player records
- As of 14 July 2021[4]
- Players in bold are still active with Botswana.
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Competition records
World Cup record
FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup Qualification record | ||||||||||||||
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Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
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Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | |||||||||||||
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Did not enter | Declined participation | |||||||||||||
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Did not qualify | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 9 | ||||||||
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Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
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Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||
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12 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 14 | 19 | |||||||||
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6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 8 | |||||||||
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6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 10 | |||||||||
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4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 | |||||||||
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2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |||||||||
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To be determined | To be determined | |||||||||||||
Total | 0/22 | 36 | 10 | 6 | 20 | 33 | 53 |
Africa Cup of Nations record
Africa Cup of Nations | ||||||||
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Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
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Part of United Kingdom | |||||||
![]() ![]() | Not affiliated to CAF | |||||||
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Did not enter | |||||||
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Did not qualify | |||||||
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Round 1 | 14th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 9 |
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Did not qualify | |||||||
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To be determined | |||||||
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Total | Round 1 | 1/33 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 9 |
Head-to-head record
As of 18 November 2019 after match against Algeria[5]
Positive Record Neutral Record Negative Record
Opponent |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 |
![]() | 12 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 13 | −8 |
![]() | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 | −4 |
![]() | 4 | 2 | 1 | 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 |
![]() | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
![]() | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 4 | −4 |
![]() | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 7 | −6 |
![]() | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 |
![]() | 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 |
![]() | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 18 | −16 |
![]() | 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 |
![]() | 30 | 14 | 11 | 5 | 35 | 23 | +12 |
![]() | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
![]() | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 |
![]() | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | −1 |
![]() | 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 |
![]() | 21 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 15 | 31 | −16 |
![]() | 19 | 7 | 10 | 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 |
![]() | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | +6 |
![]() | 15 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 8 | 25 | −17 |
![]() | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 |
![]() | 23 | 12 | 6 | 5 | 36 | 21 | +15 |
![]() | 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 |
![]() | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 9 | −4 |
![]() | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 7 | −5 |
![]() | 22 | 3 | 6 | 13 | 8 | 34 | −26 |
![]() | 17 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 8 | 21 | −13 |
Total | 303 | 80 | 82 | 141 | 245 | 388 | −143 |
References
- "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
- "BBC Sport – Football – Minnows Botswana qualify for Africa Cup of Nations". BBC News. 2011-03-26. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
- "Botswana name provisional selection for Cosafa Cup". Supersport.com.
- "Botswana - Record International Players". rsssf.com. Retrieved 2017-02-02.
- "World Football Elo Ratings: Botswana". Elo Ratings. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
External links
- Botswana at FIFA.com
- Botswana FA Official site