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).

Botswana
Nickname(s)Dipitse (The Zebras)
AssociationBotswana Football Association
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCOSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coachAdel Amrouche
CaptainKabelo Dambe
Most capsJoel Mogorosi (92)
Top scorerJerome Ramatlhakwane (24)
Home stadiumBotswana National Stadium
FIFA codeBOT
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 148 1 (31 March 2022)[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)

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  Botswana Port Elizabeth, South Africa
17:00 UTC+2
  • K. Malinga 6'
  • R. Reuck  8'
Report
Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Referee: Abongile Tom (South Africa)
10 July 2021 COSAFA Cup Group A Lesotho  0–4  Botswana Port Elizabeth, South Africa
12:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Wolfson Stadium
Referee: Thulani Sibandze (Eswatini)
13 July 2021 COSAFA Cup Group A Botswana  1–2  Zambia Port Elizabeth, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Wolfson Stadium
Referee: Thulani Sibandze (Eswatini)
14 July 2021 COSAFA Cup Group A Eswatini  1–1  Botswana Port Elizabeth, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2
  • Ndzinisa 19'
  • Mkhonta  34'
  • Figuareido  69'
  • Gamedze  71'
Report
Stadium: Wolfson Stadium
Referee: Audrick Nkole (Zambia)

2022

21 March 2023 AFCON Q preliminary round Eritrea  Cancelled  Botswana Asmara, Eritrea
Stadium: Cicero Stadium
Note: Eritrea withdrew from the competition
29 March 2023 AFCON Q preliminary round Botswana  Cancelled  Eritrea Gaborone, Botswana
Stadium: Botswana National Stadium
Note: Eritrea withdrew from the competition

Coaching history

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
1GK Ezekiel Morake (1996-03-21) 21 March 1996 10 0 Jwaneng
1GK Lesenya Malapela (1996-07-10) 10 July 1996 2 0 Orapa United
1GK Keeagile Kgosipula (1996-01-02) 2 January 1996 2 0 Township Rollers

2DF Goitseone Legopelo (1997-06-02) 2 June 1997 0 0 Uniao Flamengo Santos
2DF Thabo Leinanyane (1993-07-27) 27 July 1993 17 0 Jwaneng
2DF Mothusi Johnson (1997-07-28) 28 July 1997 12 0 Orapa United
2DF Kitso Mangolo (1999-01-06) 6 January 1999 0 0 Jwaneng
2DF Thatayaone Ditlhokwe (1998-09-21) 21 September 1998 19 2 SuperSport United
2DF Thato Kabue (1997-05-29) 29 May 1997 19 0 Gaborone United
2DF Mosha Gaolaolwe (1993-12-25) 25 December 1993 62 1 TS Galaxy
2DF Fortunate Thulare (1994-06-01) 1 June 1994 6 0 Jwaneng

3MF Mothusi Cooper (1997-07-19) 19 July 1997 10 0 Lusaka Dynamos
3MF Godiraone Modingwane (1997-07-19) 19 July 1997 10 0 Botswana Defence Force
3MF Gape Gaogangwe (1998-09-15) 15 September 1998 8 0 Orapa United
3MF Kutlwelo Mpolokang (1996-02-09) 9 February 1996 5 0 Township Rollers
3MF Gape Mohutsiwa (1997-03-20) 20 March 1997 13 1 Jwaneng
3MF Segolame Boy (1992-11-07) 7 November 1992 36 4 Township Rollers
3MF Thatayaone Kgamanyane (1996-01-30) 30 January 1996 16 4 Gaborone United

4FW Mpho Kgomo (1998-05-25) 25 May 1998 3 0 Botswana Police
4FW Tshepo Malgas (1998-05-11) 11 May 1998 0 0
4FW Thero Setsile (1995-10-08) 8 October 1995 24 2 TS Galaxy
4FW Kago Monyake (1999-07-28) 28 July 1999 0 0 Township Rollers
4FW Kabelo Seakanyeng (1993-06-25) 25 June 1993 46 6 Olympique Khouribga
4FW Elias Mbatshi (1995-07-10) 10 July 1995 7 0 Orapa United
4FW Tumisang Orebonye (1996-03-26) 26 March 1996 34 5 Olympique Khouribga
4FW Godfrey Tauyatswala 0 0 Botswana Defence Force

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 (1990-05-10) 10 May 1990 62 0 Township Rollers v. Algeria; March 29, 2021
GK Goitseone Phoko (1994-12-13) 13 December 1994 5 0 Gaborone United v. Algeria; March 29, 2021

DF Tshepo Maikano (1988-07-11) 11 July 1988 18 1 Gaborone United v. Algeria; March 29, 2021
DF Simisani Mathumo (1991-11-11) 11 November 1991 20 0 Olympique Khouribga v. Algeria; March 29, 2021
DF Onkarabile Ratanang (1998-03-16) 16 March 1998 8 0 Township Rollers v. Algeria; March 29, 2021
DF Tendai Kesekile (1992-07-21) 21 July 1992 1 0 Extension Gunners v. Algeria; March 29, 2021
DF Osego Gaotewe (1987-03-28) 28 March 1987 1 0 Security Systems v. Algeria; March 29, 2021
DF Basiamisi Sebapalo (1995-08-19) 19 August 1995 0 0 Masitaoka v. Algeria; March 29, 2021

MF Tlhalefo Molebatsi (1994-10-22) 22 October 1994 7 0 Township Rollers v. Algeria; March 29, 2021
MF Mogakolodi Ngele (1990-10-06) 6 October 1990 47 4 Chippa United v. Algeria; March 29, 2021
MF Kobamelo Kebaikanye (1991-08-27) 27 August 1991 9 0 Orapa United v. Algeria; March 29, 2021
MF Tapiwa Gadibolae (1993-02-26) 26 February 1993 22 1 Police XI v. Algeria; March 29, 2021

FW Onkabetse Makgantai (1995-07-01) 1 July 1995 27 10 Orapa United v. Algeria; March 29, 2021

INJ Withdrew due to injury
PRE Preliminary/Standby squad
RET Retired from the national team
SUS Serving suspension
WD Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue.

Player records

As of 14 July 2021[4]
Players in bold are still active with Botswana.

Competition records

World Cup record

FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 Part of  United Kingdom Part of  United Kingdom
1934
1938
1950
1954
1958
1962
1966
1970 Not affiliated to CAF Not affiliated to CAF
1974
1978 Did not enter Declined participation
1982
1986
1990
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 To be determined
Total 0/22 36 10 6 20 33 53

Africa Cup of Nations record

Africa Cup of Nations
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
1957 to 1965 Part of United Kingdom
1968 to 1976Not affiliated to CAF
1978 to 1992 Did not enter
1994 to 2010 Did not qualify
2012 Round 1 14th 3 0 0 3 2 9
2013 to 2021 Did not qualify
2023 To be determined
2025
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
 Algeria100101−1
 Angola12165513−8
 Burkina Faso621337−4
 Burundi421121+1
 Central African Republic210134−1
 Cameroon1010000
 Chad220020+2
 China PR200216−5
 Comoros3111220
 DR Congo503204−4
 Egypt602417−6
 Equatorial Guinea110020+2
 Eritrea220051+4
 Ethiopia420274+3
 Gabon1010000
 Ghana201101−1
 Guinea5005218−16
 Guinea-Bissau211031+2
 Iran1010110
 Iraq1010110
 Ivory Coast4022111−10
 Kenya7304710−3
 Lesotho30141153523+12
 Liberia1010000
 Libya302101−1
 Madagascar621345−1
 Malawi2558122147−26
 Mali7106519−14
 Mauritania410338−5
 Mauritius311161+5
 Morocco200202−2
 Mozambique2144131531−16
 Namibia1971021918+1
 New Zealand1010000
 Niger301224−2
 Nigeria1010000
 Senegal200205−5
 Seychelles330071+6
 South Africa150510825−17
 South Sudan110030+3
 Swaziland2312653621+15
 Sweden100112−1
 Tanzania512279−2
 Togo2101220
 Trinidad and Tobago1010000
 Tunisia621359−4
 Uganda502327−5
 Zambia223613834−26
 Zimbabwe17449821−13
Total3038082141245388−143

References

  1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  2. "BBC Sport – Football – Minnows Botswana qualify for Africa Cup of Nations". BBC News. 2011-03-26. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  3. "Botswana name provisional selection for Cosafa Cup". Supersport.com.
  4. "Botswana - Record International Players". rsssf.com. Retrieved 2017-02-02.
  5. "World Football Elo Ratings: Botswana". Elo Ratings. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
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