Botswana national football team
Nickname(s) |
Dipitse (The Zebras) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Association | Botswana Football Association | |||
Confederation | CAF (Africa) | |||
Sub-confederation |
COSAFA (Southern Africa) | |||
Head coach | Peter Butler | |||
Captain | Joel Mogorosi | |||
Top scorer | Jerome Ramatlhakwane (19) | |||
Home stadium | Botswana National Stadium | |||
FIFA code | BOT | |||
| ||||
FIFA ranking | ||||
Current | 113 12 (24 November 2016) | |||
Highest | 53 (December 2010) | |||
Lowest | 165 (November 1999 – February 2000) | |||
Elo ranking | ||||
Current | 128 | |||
Highest | 97 (August 2011) | |||
Lowest | 187 (March 1997) | |||
First international | ||||
Malawi 8–1 Botswana (Malawi; July 13, 1968) | ||||
Biggest win | ||||
Botswana 6–2 Swaziland (Gaborone, Botswana; March 2, 2002) | ||||
Biggest defeat | ||||
Malawi 8–1 Botswana (Malawi; July 13, 1968) 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 11 years after playing their first match to register their first victory – 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 FIFA World Cup in the USA, where they faced Niger and Côte d'Ivoire. 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 2002 FIFA 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 a Madagascar side ranked 146th in the world at the time led Botswana FA to sack manager Colwyn Rowe, despite his 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 Côte d'Ivoire, Botswana finished bottom of their qualifying group for the 2010 FIFA 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 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 FIFA World Cup, finishing third in their group with 7 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]
Competition records
World Cup record
- 1930 to 1990 – Did not enter
- 1994 – Did not qualify
- 1998 – Did not enter
- 2002 to 2018 – Did not qualify
Africa Cup of Nations record
- 1957 to 1992 – Did not enter
- 1994 to 2010 – Did not qualify
- 2012 – Round 1
- 2013 – Did not qualify
- 2015 – Did not qualify
Schedule and recent results
18 May 2014 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualificiation |
Burundi | 0–0 | Botswana | Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium, Bujumbura |
---|---|---|---|---|
15:30 | Report | Referee: Med Said Kordi (Tunisia) |
1 June 2014 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualificiation |
Botswana | 1–0 | Burundi | Lobatse Stadium, Lobatse |
---|---|---|---|---|
13:30 | Mogorosi 57' | Report | Referee: Eric Arnaud Otogo-Castane (Gabon) |
1 July 2014 Friendly | Botswana | 4–2 | Tanzania | National Stadium, Gaborone |
---|---|---|---|---|
13:30 | Ramatlhakwane 40' Tshireletso 48' Phuduhudu 68' Phiri 75' |
Report |
14 July 2014 Friendly | Botswana | 2–0 | Lesotho | National Stadium, Gaborone |
---|---|---|---|---|
16:00 | Ogopotse 66' Makgantai 86' |
Report |
19 July 2014 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualificiation |
Botswana | 2–0 | Guinea-Bissau | National Stadium, Gaborone |
---|---|---|---|---|
13:00 | Tshireletso 30', 37' | Report | Attendance: 18601.000 Referee: Victor Gomes (South Africa) |
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.[4]
Caps and goals updated as of 14 July 2014.
# | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Kabelo Dambe | 10 May 1990 (aged 21) | 18 | 0 | Township Rollers | |||
GK | Mwampole Masule | 5 September 1991 (aged 22) | 1 | 0 | Township Rollers | |||
GK | Wagarre Dikago | 0 | 0 | Extension Gunners | ||||
GK | Bokamoso Moeba | 0 | 0 | Police XI | ||||
DF | Edwin Olerile | 15 July 1986 (aged 25) | 24 | 0 | Gaborone United | |||
DF | Oscar Ncenga | 27 February 1984 (aged 27) | 21 | 0 | Township Rollers | |||
DF | Leutlwetse Tshireletso | 25 August 1985 (aged 28) | 4 | 0 | Township Rollers | |||
DF | Moshe Gaolaolwe | 25 December 1993 (aged 19) | 3 | 0 | Botswana Defence Force | |||
DF | Otlantshekela Mooketsi | 3 | 0 | Township Rollers | ||||
DF | Obonye Moswate | 8 June 1986 (aged 27) | 3 | 0 | Township Rollers | |||
DF | Pelontle Lerole | 0 | 0 | Botswana Defence Force | ||||
MF | Mogogi Gabonamong | 10 September 1982 (aged 29) | 47 | 2 | SuperSport United | |||
MF | Joel Mogorosi | 2 August 1984 (aged 27) | 42 | 6 | Bloemfontein Celtic | |||
MF | Ofentse Nato | 1 October 1989 | 34 | 3 | Atlético de Kolkata | |||
MF | Boitumelo Mafoko | 11 February 1982 (aged 29) | 23 | 1 | Botswana Defence Force | |||
MF | Jackie Mothatego | 18 February 1987 (aged 24) | 23 | 1 | Gaborone United | |||
MF | Onalethata Tshekiso | 14 May 1981 (aged 30) | 17 | 1 | Mochudi Centre Chiefs | |||
MF | Bonolo Phuduhudu | 25 September 1985 (aged 27) | 5 | 1 | Botswana Defence Force | |||
MF | Thato Ogopotse | 2 | 1 | Botswana Defence Force | ||||
MF | Karabo Phiri | 2 | 1 | Gaborone United | ||||
MF | Kabelo Seakanyeng | 2 | 0 | Botswana Defence Force | ||||
MF | Mandla Mgadla | 18 February 1987 (aged 27) | 1 | 0 | Gaborone United | |||
MF | Galebgwe Moyana | 1 | 0 | Mochudi Centre Chiefs | ||||
FW | Jerome Ramatlhakwane | 30 | 29 October 1985 (aged 26)37 | 18 | Don Bosco | |||
FW | Lemponye Tshireletso | 21 September 1984 (aged 27) | 28 | 8 | Mochudi Centre Chiefs | |||
FW | Mogakolodi Ngele | 6 October 1990 (aged 23) | 20 | 2 | Platinum Stars | |||
FW | Onkabetse Makgantai | 1 | 1 | Nico United | ||||
FW | Unobatsha Mbaiwa | 1 | 0 | BMC |
Recent call-ups
# | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Noah Maposa | 3 June 1985 (aged 26) | 17 | 0 | Gaborone United | |||
23 | GK | Michael Pepukani | 29 April 1989 (aged 24) | 2 | 0 | Township Rollers | ||
DF | Moreetsi Mosimanyana | 5 May 1985 (aged 23) | 3 | 0 | Botswana Defence Force | |||
DF | Osego Gaotewe | 28 March 1987 (aged 26) | 1 | 0 | Gaborone United | |||
DF | Kaelo Kgaswane | 22 December 1992 (aged 20) | 1 | 0 | Gaborone United | |||
DF | Gogontle Marumo | 0 | 0 | Uniao Flamengo Santos | ||||
DF | Simisani Mathumo | 8 December 1989 (aged 24) | 0 | 0 | Township Rollers | |||
DF | Agisanyang Ramaabya | 17 October 1982 (aged 31) | 0 | 0 | Extension Gunners | |||
5 | DF | Mompati Thuma | 5 April 1980 (aged 33) | 73 | 1 | Botswana Defence Force | ||
21 | DF | Tshepo Motlhabankwe | 17 March 1980 (aged 31) | 58 | 2 | Mochudi Centre Chiefs | ||
2 | DF | Gaopatwe Seosenyeng | 25 January 1988 (aged 25) | 3 | 0 | Gaborone United | ||
2 | DF | Ndiapo Letsholathebe | 25 February 1983 (aged 28) | 60 | 0 | Botswana Defence Force | ||
3 | DF | Mosimanegape Ramoshibidu | 22 February 1982 (aged 29) | 20 | 0 | BMC | ||
MF | Sekhana Koko | 5 June 1989 (aged 21) | 10 | 0 | Township Rollers | |||
MF | Lebogang Ditsele | 20 April 1996 (aged 18) | 2 | 0 | Jwaneng Comets | |||
MF | Keorapetse Seloiso | 1 | 0 | Notwane | ||||
7 | MF | Dirang Moloi | 28 November 1985 (aged 26) | 19 | 0 | Don Bosco | ||
15 | MF | Galabgwe Moyana | 24 May 1990 (aged 21) | 14 | 0 | Polokwane City | ||
MF | Kabo Rasuping | 10 February 1992 (aged 22) | 0 | 0 | Gaborone United | |||
8 | MF | Phenyo Mongala | 10 June 1985 (aged 26) | 23 | 1 | Don Bosco | ||
10 | MF | Ntesang Simanyana | 2 December 1990 (aged 21) | 8 | 1 | Gaborone United | ||
3 | MF | Topo Piet | 11 December 1988 (aged 24) | 5 | 0 | Nico United | ||
13 | MF | Gift Moyo | 20 August 1990 (aged 22) | 4 | 0 | Nico United | ||
2 | MF | Abednico Powell | 28 January 1983 (aged 28) | 3 | 0 | Mogoditshane Fighters | ||
13 | MF | Alphonse Modisaotsile | 30 January 1985 (aged 26) | 7 | 0 | Gaborone United | ||
FW | Tebogo Sembowa | 7 February 1988 (aged 23) | 16 | 3 | Gaborone United | |||
FW | Kelelelo Kgosimore | 1 | 0 | Extension Gunners | ||||
10 | FW | Moemedi Moatlhaping | 14 July 1985 (aged 26) | 40 | 4 | Gaborone United |
Managers
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References
- ↑ "BBC Sport – Football – Minnows Botswana qualify for Africa Cup of Nations". BBC News. 2011-03-26. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
- ↑ "BBC Sport – Football – Botswana sack coach Tshosane". BBC News. 2013-10-08. Retrieved 2014-04-16.
- ↑ "BBC Sport – Football – Englishman Peter Butler appointed as Botswana coach". BBC News. 2014-02-10. Retrieved 2014-04-16.
- ↑ "Zebras ready for Djurtus". Daily News (Botswana). 2014-07-16. Retrieved 2014-07-16.
External links
- Botswana at FIFA.com
- Botswana FA Official site