Botswana national football team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Botswana women's national football team.

Botswana

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
First colours Second colours Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current	140 7 (24 October 2024)
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 COSAFA Cup 2016 Namibia Team 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). 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 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

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

Botswana v Mozambique

16 November 2026 World Cup qualification	Botswana	2–3	Mozambique	Francistown, Botswana
15:00 UTC+2	Tlhalefang 74' Ngele 85'	Report	Clésio 14' Ratifo 52' Muiomo 75'	Stadium: Obed Itani Chilume Stadium Referee: Peter Waweru (Kenya)

Botswana v Guinea

21 November 2026 World Cup qualification	Botswana	1–0	Guinea	Francistown, Botswana
15:00 UTC+2	Seakanyeng 79'	Report		Stadium: Obed Itani Chilume Stadium Referee: Patrice Tanguy Mebiame (Gabon)

2024

Botswana v Mozambique

8 January Friendly	Botswana	1–1	Mozambique	Johannesburg, South Africa
16:00 UTC+2	Seakanyeng 39' (pen.)	Report	Amade 90+5'	Stadium: Johannesburg Stadium

Botswana v Rwanda

22 March Friendly	Botswana	0–0	Rwanda	Antananarivo, Madagascar
				Stadium: Mahamasina Municipal Stadium

Burundi v Botswana

25 March Friendly	Burundi	0–0	Botswana	Antananarivo, Madagascar
				Stadium: Mahamasina Municipal Stadium

Uganda v Botswana

7 June 2026 World Cup qualification	Uganda	1–0	Botswana	Kampala, Uganda
19:00 UTC+3	Shaban 74'	Report		Stadium: Mandela National Stadium Attendance: 45,000 Referee: Clement Franklin Kpan (Ivory Coast)

Somalia v Botswana

10 June 2026 World Cup qualification	Somalia	1–3	Botswana	Maputo, Mozambique
15:00 UTC+2	Hassan 74'	Report	Sesinyi 10' Gaolaolwe 53' Seakanyeng 72'	Stadium: Estádio do Zimpeto Referee: Emmanuel Mensah (Liberia)

Eswatini v Botswana

26 June 2024 COSAFA Cup	Eswatini	0–0	Botswana	Gqeberha, South Africa
15:00		Report		Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

South Africa v Botswana

29 June 2024 COSAFA Cup	South Africa	0–0	Botswana	Gqeberha, South Africa
15:00		Report		Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium

Mozambique v Botswana

2 July 2024 COSAFA Cup	Mozambique	3–1	Botswana	Gqeberha, South Africa
15:00	Ferreira 45+2' Dário 66' Cândido 90+4'	Report	Kopelang 20'	Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium

Libya v Botswana

31 August Friendly	Libya	1–0	Botswana	Tripoli, Libya
18:00 UTC+2	Krawa'a 54' (pen.)	Report		Stadium: Tripoli Stadium

Mauritania v Botswana

7 September 2025 AFCON qualification	Mauritania	1–0	Botswana	Nouakchott, Mauritania
16:00 UTC±0	Amar 84'	Report		Stadium: Cheikha Ould Boïdiya Stadium Referee: Daniel Nii Laryea (Ghana)

Botswana v Egypt

10 September 2025 AFCON qualification	Botswana	0–4	Egypt	Francistown, Botswana
18:00 UTC+2		Report	Trézéguet 5', 29' Salah 56' M. Fathi 90+4'	Stadium: Obed Itani Chilume Stadium Referee: Omar Abdulkadir Artan (Somalia)

Cape Verde v Botswana

10 October 2025 AFCON qualification	Cape Verde	0-1	Botswana	Praia, Cape Verde
15:00 UTC−1		Report	Orebonye 2'	Stadium: Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde Referee: Samir Guezzaz (Morocco)

Botswana v Cape Verde

15 October 2025 AFCON qualification	Botswana	1-0	Cape Verde	Francistown, Botswana
18:00 UTC+2	Sesinyi 52'	Report		Stadium: Obed Itani Chilume Stadium Attendance: 8,000 Referee: Messie Nkounkou (Congo)

Botswana v Mauritania

15 November 2025 AFCON qualification	Botswana	1-1	Mauritania	Francistown, Botswana
14:00 UTC+2	Baruti 18'	Report	Koïta 7'	Stadium: Obed Itani Chilume Stadium Referee: Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (Ethiopia)

Egypt v Botswana

19 November 2025 AFCON qualification	Egypt	1-1	Botswana	Cairo, Egypt
19:00 UTC+2	Trézéguet 15'	Report	Kebatho 8'	Stadium: 30 June Stadium

2025

Botswana v Algeria

March 2025 (2025-03) 2026 World Cup qualification

Botswana

v

Algeria

Botswana v Somalia

March 2025 (2025-03) 2026 World Cup qualification

Botswana

v

Somalia

Algeria v Botswana

September 2025 (2025-09) 2026 World Cup qualification

Algeria

v

Botswana

Mozambique v Botswana

September 2025 (2025-09) 2026 World Cup qualification

Mozambique

v

Botswana

Botswana v Uganda

October 2025 (2025-10) 2026 World Cup qualification

Botswana

v

Uganda

Guinea v Botswana

October 2025 (2025-10) 2026 World Cup qualification

Guinea

v

Botswana

Coaching history

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

• Thomas Johnson (1973)
• Rudi Gutendorf (1976)
• Peter Cormack (1986–1987)
• Kenny Mwape (1990–1992)
• Freddie Mwila (1992–1994)
• Freddie Mwila (1994–1996)
• Michael Gaborone (1996–1997)
• David Bright (1997–1998)
• David Bright (1999)
• Jeff Butler (1999)
• David Bright (2000)
• Karl-Heinz Marotzke (2001)
• Veselin Jelušić (2002–2005)
• David Bright (2006)
• Colwyn Rowe (2006–2008)
• Stanley Tshosane (2008–2013)
• Peter Butler (2014–2017)
• Mogomotsi Mpote (2017)
• David Bright (2017–2019)
• Mfolo Mfolo (2019)
• Mogomotsi Mpote (2019)
• Adel Amrouche (2019–2022)
• Rahman Gumbo (2022)
• Mogomotsi Mpote (2022–2023)
• Didier Gomes Da Rosa (2023-)

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	1	0	Masitaoka
	1GK	Karamelo Kgosipula	(2003-02-06) 6 February 2003	0	0	Matebele
	1GK	Kenneth Mmoko	(1999-10-13) 13 October 1999	0	0	Sua Flamingoes
	1GK	Jovan Nikolic	(2001-09-09) 9 September 2001	0	0	Marinhense
	2DF	Tebogo Kopelang	(2000-04-24) 24 April 2000	21	0	Security Systems
	2DF	Kitso Mangolo	(1999-01-06) 6 January 1999	20	1	Ihefu
	2DF	Thabo Babutsi	(2000-07-24) 24 July 2000	3	0	Township Rollers
	2DF	Atamelang Lesogo		1	0	Orapa United
	2DF	Botsile Sakana	(2001-01-26) 26 January 2001	1	0	Masitaoka
	2DF	Obakeng Senono	(1999-09-29) 29 September 1999	1	0	Masitaoka
	2DF	Leruo Ratala	(2002-03-28) 28 March 2002	0	0	Gaborone United
	2DF	Bonno Sepako		0	0	UB Hawks
	3MF	Gape Thibedi	(2000-02-02) 2 February 2000	11	0	Gaborone United
	3MF	Olebogeng Ramotse	(1998-01-17) 17 January 1998	9	0	Masitaoka
	3MF	Tawana Mbakile	(2000-07-14) 14 July 2000	5	0	Security Systems
	3MF	Obakeng Ramotlhwa	(1999-07-26) 26 July 1999	1	0	Masitaoka
	3MF	Ricky Ratlhogo	(2000-12-08) 8 December 2000	1	0	Orapa United
	3MF	Ofentse Mbaiwa	(2003-06-10) 10 June 2003	0	0	Eleven Angels
	3MF	Boniface Ramolale	(2002-04-03) 3 April 2002	0	0	Masitaoka
	3MF	Shaun Theron	(2003-03-11) 11 March 2003	0	0	Jwaneng Galaxy
	4FW	Molaodi Tlhalefang	(1997-07-07) 7 July 1997	11	2	Miscellaneous SC Serowe
	4FW	Eric Ookame	(2001-04-03) 3 April 2001	4	0	Eleven Angels
	4FW	Oarabile Sekwai	(1998-11-28) 28 November 1998	4	0	Police XI
	4FW	Lizo Skweyiya	(2004-01-01) 1 January 2004	4	0	Orlando Pirates
	4FW	Thabiso Bante	(1995-04-25) 25 April 1995	2	0	TAFIC
	4FW	Tshepo Keselebale		2	0	Security Systems
	4FW	Bame Morwalela	(1999-03-25) 25 March 1999	2	1	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	63	0	Township Rollers	v. Somalia, 10 June 2024
GK	Goitseone Phoko	(1994-12-13) 13 December 1994	27	1	Gaborone United	v. Somalia, 10 June 2024
GK	Thabo Motswagole	(2000-04-22) 22 April 2000	1	0	Masitaoka	v. Somalia, 10 June 2024
DF	Mosha Gaolaolwe	(1993-12-25) 25 December 1993	79	2	Township Rollers	v. Somalia, 10 June 2024
DF	Thatayaone Ditlhokwe	(1998-09-21) 21 September 1998	31	2	Kaizer Chiefs	v. Somalia, 10 June 2024
DF	Alfred Velaphi	(1999-01-18) 18 January 1999	23	0	Gaborone United	v. Somalia, 10 June 2024
DF	Motsholetsi Sikele	(1991-12-01) 1 December 1991	4	0	Township Rollers	v. Somalia, 10 June 2024
DF	Mothusi Johnson	(1997-07-28) 28 July 1997	24	0	Gaborone United	v. Burundi, 25 March 2024
DF	Thato Kebue	(1997-05-29) 29 May 1997	34	2	Gaborone United	v. Guinea, 21 November 2023
MF	Gape Mohutsiwa	(1997-03-20) 20 March 1997	22	2	ASO Chlef	v. Somalia, 10 June 2024
MF	Godiraone Modingwane	(1996-06-26) 26 June 1996	19	0	Botswana Defence Force	v. Somalia, 10 June 2024
MF	Gilbert Baruti	(1992-03-16) 16 March 1992	9	0	Jwaneng Galaxy	v. Somalia, 10 June 2024
MF	Phenyo Serameng	(1996-09-27) 27 September 1996	4	0	Township Rollers	v. Somalia, 10 June 2024
MF	Koketso Majafi	(1992-11-07) 7 November 1992	1	0	Orapa United	v. Somalia, 10 June 2024
MF	Mpho Kgaswane	(1994-06-13) 13 June 1994	21	2	Gaborone United	v. Burundi, 25 March 2024
MF	Christopher Lemme	(1995-11-05) 5 November 1995	3	0	Security Systems	v. Burundi, 25 March 2024
MF	Thabo Leinanyane	(1993-07-27) 27 July 1993	17	0	Jwaneng Galaxy	v. Mozambique, 8 January 2024
MF	Lebogang Ditsele	(1996-04-20) 20 April 1996	54	3	Gaborone United	v. Guinea, 21 November 2023
MF	Mothusi Cooper	(1997-07-19) 19 July 1997	25	0	Gaborone United	v. Guinea, 21 November 2023
MF	Brandon Wilson	(1997-01-28) 28 January 1997	0	0	Hanoi	v. Guinea, 21 November 2023
MF	Gofaone Mabaya	(1995-08-31) 31 August 1995	18	0	Orapa United	v. Zimbabwe, 30 September 2023
MF	Lemogang Maswena	(1991-02-05) 5 February 1991	7	1	Jwaneng Galaxy	v. Zimbabwe, 30 September 2023
MF	Thabang Aphiri	(2003-08-03) 3 August 2003	1	0	Jwaneng Galaxy	v. Zimbabwe, 30 September 2023
FW	Kabelo Seakanyeng	(1993-06-25) 25 June 1993	61	10	Olympique Khouribga	v. Somalia, 10 June 2024
FW	Tumisang Orebonye	(1996-03-26) 26 March 1996	48	5	AS FAR	v. Somalia, 10 June 2024
FW	Segolame Boy	(1992-11-07) 7 November 1992	40	4	Township Rollers	v. Somalia, 10 June 2024
FW	Thabang Sesinyi	(1992-10-15) 15 October 1992	23	3	Jwaneng Galaxy	v. Somalia, 10 June 2024
FW	Thatayaone Kgamanyane	(1996-01-30) 30 January 1996	26	5	Gaborone United	v. Mozambique, 8 January 2024
FW	Monty Enosa	(2004-02-06) 6 February 2004	5	0	Masitaoka	v. Zimbabwe, 30 September 2023

Player records

As of 15 November 2024

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
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									4	2	0	2	6	5
2030										To be determined
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
1957	Part of United Kingdom									Part of United Kingdom
1959
1962
1963
1965
1968	Not affiliated to CAF									Not affiliated to CAF
1970
1974
1976
1978	Did not enter									Did not enter
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994	Did not qualify
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012	Group stage	14th	3	0	0	3	2	9
2013	Did not qualify
2015
2017
2019
2021
2023
2025	To be determined									To be determined
2027
2029
Total	Group stage	1/34	3	0	0	3	2	9

COSAFA Cup

Main article: COSAFA Cup

Head-to-head record

As of 15 November 2024 after match against Mauritania

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	7	0	2	5	1	11	−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	350	94	96	160	283	437	−154

Honours

Regional

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

External links

• Botswana FA official site
• Botswana at CAF
• Botswana at FIFA