Botswana national football team

Botswana
Nickname(s) Dipitse
(The Zebras)
Association Botswana Football Association
Confederation CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation COSAFA
(Southern Africa)
Head coach David Bright
Captain Joel Mogorosi
Most caps Mompati Thuma (84)
Top scorer Jerome Ramatlhakwane (24)
Home stadium Botswana National Stadium
FIFA code BOT
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 142 Decrease 3 (20 September 2018)
Highest 53 (December 2010)
Lowest 165 (November 1999 – February 2000)
Elo ranking
Current 121 Steady (20 August 2018)
Highest 98 (August 2011)
Lowest 187 (March 1997)
First international
 Malawi 8–1 Botswana Botswana
(Malawi; July 13, 1968)
Biggest win
Botswana Botswana 6–0 Mauritius 
(Polokwane, South Africa; June 1, 2018)
Biggest defeat
 Malawi 8–1 Botswana Botswana
(Malawi; July 13, 1968)
Botswana Botswana 0–7 Zimbabwe 
(Gaborone, Botswana; August 26, 1990)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances 1 (first in 2012)
Best result Group stage, 2012

The Botswana national football team, nicknamed 'The Zebras' (Setswana: Dipitse) is the national football team of Botswana and is controlled by the Botswana Football Association. They have never qualified for the World Cup but they did qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations[1] for the first time in their history.

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".[2] They subsequently appointed Englishman Peter Butler in February 2014.[3]

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.[4]

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
Uruguay 1930 to Italy 1990 Did not enter Did not enter
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 To be determined To be determined
Canada Mexico United States 2026
Total 0/21 34 10 5 19 32 42

Africa Cup of Nations record

Africa Cup of Nations
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
Sudan 1957 to Senegal 1992 Did not enter
Tunisia 1994 to Angola 2010 Did not qualify
Gabon Equatorial Guinea 2012 Round 1 14 3 0 0 3 2 9
South Africa 2013 to Gabon 2017 Did not qualify
Cameroon 2019 To be determined
Ivory Coast 2021
Guinea 2023
Total Round 1 1/31 3 0 0 3 2 9

All-time record against other nations

As of 30 September 2018[5]

  Positive Record   Neutral Record   Negative Record

Opponent
 Pld
 W
 D
 L
 GF
 GA
 GD
 Angola11164512−7
 Burkina Faso420234−1
 Burundi421121+1
 Central African Republic210134−1
 Cameroon1010000
 Chad220020+2
 China PR200216−5
 Comoros3111220
 DR Congo503204−4
 Egypt502316−5
 Equatorial Guinea110020+2
 Eritrea220051+4
 Ethiopia420274+3
 Gabon1010000
 Ghana201101−1
 Guinea5005218−16
 Guinea-Bissau211031+2
 Iran1010110
 Iraq1010110
 Ivory Coast4022111−10
 Kenya7304710−3
 Lesotho29131153322+11
 Libya302101−1
 Madagascar621345−1
 Malawi2357112146−25
 Mali7106519−14
 Mauritania310226−4
 Mauritius311161+5
 Morocco200202−2
 Mozambique2144131531−16
 Namibia1971021918+1
 New Zealand1010000
 Niger301224−2
 Nigeria1010000
 Senegal200205−5
 Seychelles110020+2
 South Africa13049620−14
 South Sudan110030+3
 Swaziland2312653621+15
 Sweden100112−1
 Tanzania512279−2
 Togo2101220
 Trinidad and Tobago1010000
 Tunisia621359−4
 Uganda502327−5
 Zambia193511630−24
 Zimbabwe16439821−13
Total2857776132233368−135

Recent results and fixtures

Current squad

The following players were called for 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Guinea-Bissau on July 19 and August 2, 2014.[6]

Caps and goals updated as of 14 July 2014.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Kabelo Dambe (1990-05-10)10 May 1990 (aged 21) 18 0 Botswana Township Rollers
1GK Mwampole Masule (1991-09-05)5 September 1991 (aged 22) 1 0 Botswana Township Rollers
1GK Wagarre Dikago 0 0 Botswana Extension Gunners
1GK Bokamoso Moeba 0 0 Botswana Police XI
2DF Edwin Olerile (1986-07-15)15 July 1986 (aged 25) 24 0 Botswana Gaborone United
2DF Oscar Ncenga (1984-02-27)27 February 1984 (aged 27) 21 0 Botswana Township Rollers
2DF Leutlwetse Tshireletso (1985-08-25)25 August 1985 (aged 28) 4 0 Botswana Township Rollers
2DF Moshe Gaolaolwe (1993-12-25)25 December 1993 (aged 19) 3 0 Botswana Botswana Defence Force
2DF Otlantshekela Mooketsi 3 0 Botswana Township Rollers
2DF Obonye Moswate (1986-06-08)8 June 1986 (aged 27) 3 0 Botswana Township Rollers
2DF Pelontle Lerole 0 0 Botswana Botswana Defence Force
3MF Mogogi Gabonamong (1982-09-10)10 September 1982 (aged 29) 47 2 South Africa SuperSport United
3MF Joel Mogorosi (1984-08-02)2 August 1984 (aged 27) 42 6 South Africa Bloemfontein Celtic
3MF Ofentse Nato (1989-10-01) 1 October 1989 34 3 India Atlético de Kolkata
3MF Boitumelo Mafoko (1982-02-11)11 February 1982 (aged 29) 23 1 Botswana Botswana Defence Force
3MF Jackie Mothatego (1987-02-18)18 February 1987 (aged 24) 23 1 Botswana Gaborone United
3MF Onalethata Tshekiso (1981-05-14)14 May 1981 (aged 30) 17 1 Botswana Mochudi Centre Chiefs
3MF Bonolo Phuduhudu (1985-09-25)25 September 1985 (aged 27) 5 1 Botswana Botswana Defence Force
3MF Thato Ogopotse 2 1 Botswana Botswana Defence Force
3MF Karabo Phiri 2 1 Botswana Gaborone United
3MF Kabelo Seakanyeng 2 0 Botswana Botswana Defence Force
3MF Mandla Mgadla (1987-02-18)18 February 1987 (aged 27) 1 0 Botswana Gaborone United
3MF Galebgwe Moyana 1 0 Botswana Mochudi Centre Chiefs
4FW Jerome Ramatlhakwane 30 (1985-10-29)29 October 1985 (aged 26) 37 18 Democratic Republic of the Congo Don Bosco
4FW Lemponye Tshireletso (1984-09-21)21 September 1984 (aged 27) 28 8 Botswana Mochudi Centre Chiefs
4FW Mogakolodi Ngele (1990-10-06)6 October 1990 (aged 23) 20 2 South Africa Platinum Stars
4FW Onkabetse Makgantai 1 1 Botswana Nico United
4FW Unobatsha Mbaiwa 1 0 Botswana BMC

Recent call-ups

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Noah Maposa (1985-06-03)3 June 1985 (aged 26) 17 0 Botswana Gaborone United
23 1GK Michael Pepukani (1989-04-29)29 April 1989 (aged 24) 2 0 Botswana Township Rollers
2DF Moreetsi Mosimanyana (1985-05-05)5 May 1985 (aged 23) 3 0 Botswana Botswana Defence Force
2DF Osego Gaotewe (1987-03-28)28 March 1987 (aged 26) 1 0 Botswana Gaborone United
2DF Kaelo Kgaswane (1992-12-22)22 December 1992 (aged 20) 1 0 Botswana Gaborone United
2DF Gogontle Marumo 0 0 Botswana Uniao Flamengo Santos
2DF Simisani Mathumo (1989-12-08)8 December 1989 (aged 24) 0 0 Botswana Township Rollers
2DF Agisanyang Ramaabya (1982-10-17)17 October 1982 (aged 31) 0 0 Botswana Extension Gunners
5 2DF Mompati Thuma (1980-04-05)5 April 1980 (aged 33) 73 1 Botswana Botswana Defence Force
21 2DF Tshepo Motlhabankwe (1980-03-17)17 March 1980 (aged 31) 58 2 Botswana Mochudi Centre Chiefs
2 2DF Gaopatwe Seosenyeng (1988-01-25)25 January 1988 (aged 25) 3 0 Botswana Gaborone United
2 2DF Ndiapo Letsholathebe (1983-02-25)25 February 1983 (aged 28) 60 0 Botswana Botswana Defence Force
3 2DF Mosimanegape Ramoshibidu (1982-02-22)22 February 1982 (aged 29) 20 0 Botswana BMC
3MF Sekhana Koko (1989-06-05)5 June 1989 (aged 21) 10 0 Botswana Township Rollers
3MF Lebogang Ditsele (1996-04-20)20 April 1996 (aged 18) 2 0 Botswana Jwaneng Comets
3MF Keorapetse Seloiso 1 0 Botswana Notwane
7 3MF Dirang Moloi (1985-11-28)28 November 1985 (aged 26) 19 0 Democratic Republic of the Congo Don Bosco
15 3MF Galabgwe Moyana (1990-05-24)24 May 1990 (aged 21) 14 0 South Africa Polokwane City
3MF Kabo Rasuping (1992-02-10)10 February 1992 (aged 22) 0 0 Botswana Gaborone United
8 3MF Phenyo Mongala (1985-06-10)10 June 1985 (aged 26) 23 1 Democratic Republic of the Congo Don Bosco
10 3MF Ntesang Simanyana (1990-12-02)2 December 1990 (aged 21) 8 1 Botswana Gaborone United
3 3MF Topo Piet (1988-12-11)11 December 1988 (aged 24) 5 0 Botswana Nico United
13 3MF Gift Moyo (1990-08-20)20 August 1990 (aged 22) 4 0 Botswana Nico United
2 3MF Abednico Powell (1983-01-28)28 January 1983 (aged 28) 3 0 Botswana Mogoditshane Fighters
13 3MF Alphonse Modisaotsile (1985-01-30)30 January 1985 (aged 26) 7 0 Botswana Gaborone United
4FW Tebogo Sembowa (1988-02-07)7 February 1988 (aged 23) 16 3 Botswana Gaborone United
4FW Kelelelo Kgosimore 1 0 Botswana Extension Gunners
10 4FW Moemedi Moatlhaping (1985-07-14)14 July 1985 (aged 26) 40 4 Botswana Gaborone United

Records

As of 14 November 2017[7]

Managers

References

  1. ↑ "BBC Sport – Football – Minnows Botswana qualify for Africa Cup of Nations". BBC News. 2011-03-26. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  2. ↑ "BBC Sport – Football – Botswana sack coach Tshosane". BBC News. 2013-10-08. Retrieved 2014-04-16.
  3. ↑ "BBC Sport – Football – Englishman Peter Butler appointed as Botswana coach". BBC News. 2014-02-10. Retrieved 2014-04-16.
  4. ↑ "BBC Sport – Football – David Bright to coach Botswana's national team for a fourth time". BBC News. 2017-07-10. Retrieved 2017-10-04.
  5. ↑ "World Football Elo Ratings: Botswana". Elo Ratings. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
  6. ↑ "Zebras ready for Djurtus". Daily News (Botswana). 2014-07-16. Retrieved 2014-07-16.
  7. ↑ "Botswana - Record International Players". rsssf.com. Retrieved 2017-02-02.
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