Botswana national football team

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Template:Short description Template:About Template:Infobox National football team

The Botswana national football team (Template:Langx) 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, in 2012<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and 2025.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.

Brandon Wilson received his first call up for Botswana in 2023

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This was despite manager Didier Gomes Da Rosa resigning to take charge of Al Ahli,<ref>https://supersport.com/hereforher/news/7a19361b-8ff9-4fa6-9d5d-a72055ab2d66/botswana-coach-details-reasons-for-departureslug=botswana-coach-details-reasons-for-departure</ref> meaning Morena Ramoreboli took interim charge for the team's last two matches.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Results and fixtures

Template:See Also The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

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2024

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2025

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Coaching history

Freddie Mwila managed the national football team of Botswana in the 1990s
Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

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Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group G matches against Algeria and Somalia on 20 and 25 March 2025 respectively.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Caps and goals correct as of 19 November 2024, after the match against Egypt.

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Recent call-ups

The following players were last called up within the last twelve months.

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Player records

Template:Updated<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Players in bold are still active with Botswana.

Most appearances

Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Mosha Gaolaolwe 93 2 2013–present
2 Joel Mogorosi 92 16 2005–2019
3 Mompati Thuma 86 1 2004–2013
4 Modiri Marumo 85 0 1997–2015
5 Ndiapo Letsholathebe 78 0 2003–2013
6 Tshepo Motlhabankwe 76 2 2003–2013
7 Mogogi Gabonamong 74 4 1999–2015
8 Kabelo Seakanyeng 73 10 2014–present
9 Dipsy Selolwane 68 18 1998–2012
10 Lemponye Tshireletso 64 11 2009–2020

Top goalscorers

Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Jerome Ramatlhakwane 24 61 {{#expr:24/61 round 2}} 2006–2018
2 Dipsy Selolwane 18 68 {{#expr:18/68 round 2}} 1998–2012
3 Joel Mogorosi 16 92 {{#expr:16/92 round 2}} 2005–2019
4 Lemponye Tshireletso 11 64 {{#expr:11/64 round 2}} 2009–2020
5 Onkabetse Makgantai 10 27 {{#expr:10/27 round 2}} 2014–2021
Kabelo Seakanyeng 10 73 {{#expr:10/73 round 2}} 2014–present
7 Moemedi Moatlhaping 9 50 {{#expr:9/50 round 2}} 2004–2013
8 Tshepiso Molwantwa 8 44 {{#expr:8/44 round 2}} 1998–2006
9 Pontsho Moloi 7 50 {{#expr:7/50 round 2}} 2004–2012
10 Thatayaone Kgamanyane 6 32 {{#expr:6/32 round 2}} 2017–present
Tumisang Orebonye 6 61 {{#expr:6/61 round 2}} 2017–present

Competitive records

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip* Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip
1970 to 1978 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
1982 to 1990 Did not enter Declined participation
Template:Flagicon 1994 Did not qualify 4 0 1 3 1 9
Template:Flagicon 1998 Did not enter Did not enter
Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 2002 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 0 2
Template:Flagicon 2006 12 4 1 7 14 19
Template:Flagicon 2010 6 1 2 3 3 8
Template:Flagicon 2014 6 2 1 3 8 10
Template:Flagicon 2018 4 3 0 1 7 4
Template:Flagicon 2022 2 0 1 1 0 1
Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 2026 10 3 1 6 12 16
Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 2030 To be determined To be determined
Template:Flagicon 2034
Total Template:Tooltip 46 13 7 26 45 69

Africa Cup of Nations

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

Africa Cup of Nations record Qualification record
Year Round Position Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip
Template:Flagicon 1957 Part of Template:UK Part of Template:UK
Template:Flagicon 1959
Template:Flagicon 1962
Template:Flagicon 1963
Template:Flagicon 1965
Template:Flagicon 1968 Not affiliated to CAF Not affiliated to CAF
Template:Flagicon 1970
Template:Flagicon 1974
Template:Flagicon 1976
Template:Flagicon 1978 Did not enter Did not enter
Template:Flagicon 1980
Template:Flagicon 1982
Template:Flagicon 1984
Template:Flagicon 1986
Template:Flagicon 1988
Template:Flagicon 1990
Template:Flagicon 1992
Template:Flagicon 1994 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 0 4
Template:Flagicon 1996 10 0 2 8 5 27
Template:Flagicon 1998 2 0 1 1 0 6
Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 2000 2 0 1 1 1 2
Template:Flagicon 2002 2 1 0 1 1 3
Template:Flagicon 2004 6 0 3 3 2 6
Template:Flagicon 2006 12 4 1 7 14 19
Template:Flagicon 2008 6 2 1 3 3 7
Template:Flagicon 2010 6 1 2 3 3 8
Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 2012 Group stage 16th 3 0 0 3 2 9 8 5 2 1 7 3
Template:Flagicon 2013 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 1 7
Template:Flagicon 2015 8 1 2 5 2 11
Template:Flagicon 2017 6 2 0 4 5 8
Template:Flagicon 2019 6 0 1 5 1 8
Template:Flagicon 2021 6 1 1 4 2 9
Template:Flagicon 2023 6 1 1 4 3 9
Template:Flagicon 2025 Qualified 6 2 2 2 4 7
Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 2027 To be determined To be determined
Template:Flagicon 2029
Total Group stage 2/35 3 0 0 3 2 9 96 20 20 55 54 144

COSAFA Cup

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

Head-to-head record

As of 14 October 2025 after match against Guinea<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Key
Positive balance (more Wins)
Neutral balance (Wins = Losses)
Negative balance (more Losses)
Opponent
 Pld
 W
 D
 L
 GF
 GA
 GD
Template:Fb 4 0 0 4 2 12 −10
Template:Fb 14 2 6 6 6 14 −8
Template:Fb 6 2 1 3 3 7 −4
Template:Fb 5 2 2 1 2 1 +1
Template:Fb 2 1 0 1 3 4 −1
Template:Fb 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
Template:Fb 2 2 0 0 2 0 +2
Template:Fb 2 2 0 0 2 0 +2
Template:Fb 2 0 0 2 1 6 −5
Template:Fb 5 2 2 1 3 2 +1
Template:Fb 5 0 3 2 0 4 −4
Template:Fb 8 0 3 5 2 12 −10
Template:Fb 3 1 0 2 4 5 –1
Template:Fb 2 2 0 0 5 1 +4
Template:Fb 4 2 0 2 7 4 +3
Template:Fb 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
Template:Fb 2 0 1 1 0 1 −1
Template:Fb 7 1 1 5 5 20 −15
Template:Fb 2 1 1 0 3 1 +2
Template:Fb 1 0 1 0 1 1 0
Template:Fb 1 0 1 0 1 1 0
Template:Fb 4 0 2 2 1 11 −10
Template:Fb 7 3 0 4 7 10 −3
Template:Fb 31 15 11 5 39 23 +16
Template:Fb 1 0 1 1 1 3 −2
Template:Fb 5 1 2 2 1 2 −1
Template:Fb 8 1 2 3 4 5 −1
Template:Fb 25 5 8 12 21 47 −26
Template:Fb 7 1 0 6 5 19 −14
Template:Fb 6 1 1 4 4 10 −6
Template:Fb 3 1 1 1 6 1 +5
Template:Fb 2 0 0 2 0 2 −2
Template:Fb 25 5 5 15 19 40 −21
Template:Fb 20 7 11 2 19 18 +1
Template:Fb 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
Template:Fb 3 0 1 2 2 4 −2
Template:Fb 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
Template:Fb 2 0 0 2 0 5 −5
Template:Fb 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
Template:Fb 4 4 0 0 8 1 +7
Template:Fb 2 2 0 0 5 1 +4
Template:Fb 20 0 6 14 10 31 −21
Template:Fb 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3
Template:Fb 32 16 11 5 46 26 +20
Template:Fb 1 0 0 1 1 2 −1
Template:Fb 5 1 2 2 7 9 −2
Template:Fb 2 1 0 1 2 2 0
Template:Fb 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
Template:Fb 8 2 2 4 5 12 −7
Template:Fb 7 0 2 5 2 9 −7
Template:Fb 27 4 8 15 15 42 −27
Template:Fb 19 4 5 10 9 23 −14
Total 360 95 101 164 294 453 −159

Honours

Regional

Awards

References

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Template:Botswana national football team managers Template:Botswana squad 2012 Africa Cup of Nations {{#invoke:navbox|navbox | name = CAF teams | title = National football teams of Africa (CAF) |listclass = hlist |group1 = North Africa (UNAF) |list1 =

|group2 = West Africa (WAFU) |list2 =

|group3 = East Africa (CECAFA) |list3 =

|group4 = Central Africa (UNIFFAC) |list4 =

|group5 = Southern Africa (COSAFA) |list5 =

|group6 = Non-regional Members |list6 =

|below= 1 Regional team, an associate member of CAF but not a member of FIFA

{{#invoke:portal-inline|main|size=tiny|Football in Africa}} }} Template:National sports teams of Botswana

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