Botswana national football team
Zebras · COSAFA · Elo 1364 (42nd in Africa)
About the Botswana national team
The Botswana national football team (Zebras) represents Botswana in men's international football and competes in CAF's Southern African (COSAFA) region.
Across their history, Botswana have played 334 recorded internationals since 1968: 90 wins (26.9%), 94 draws and 150 defeats, with 272 goals scored and 430 conceded.
Botswana have played at 2 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments without winning the title.
Botswana have not yet qualified for a FIFA World Cup finals tournament.
Our Elo rating puts Botswana on 1364 points: 42nd in Africa and 164th in the world. Their highest rating (1512) came in 2011.
Diphetogo Selolwane is the leading scorer in our match records with 5 goals for Botswana.
Next matches
All fixtures →Recent results
All results →LLDLLLLWDD
| Date | Opponent | Score | Competition | Venue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Sep 2026 | D |  Tunisia |
2–2 | AFCON Qualification | A · Radès |
| 24 Sep 2026 | D |  Libya |
2–2 | AFCON Qualification | A · Tripoli |
| 31 Mar 2026 | W |  Malawi |
1–0 | Mukuru 4 Nations | H · Francistown |
| 28 Mar 2026 | L |  Zimbabwe |
0–3 | Mukuru 4 Nations | H · Francistown |
| 30 Dec 2025 | L |  DR Congo |
0–3 | Africa Cup of Nations | N · Rabat |
| 27 Dec 2025 | L |  Benin |
0–1 | Africa Cup of Nations | N · Rabat |
| 23 Dec 2025 | L |  Senegal |
0–3 | Africa Cup of Nations | N · Tangier |
| 14 Oct 2025 | D |  Guinea |
2–2 | World Cup Qualification | N · Casablanca |
| 9 Oct 2025 | L |  Uganda |
0–1 | World Cup Qualification | H · Francistown |
| 8 Sep 2025 | L |  Mozambique |
0–2 | World Cup Qualification | A · Maputo |
| 4 Sep 2025 | L |  Algeria |
1–3 | World Cup Qualification | A · Tizi Ouzou |
| 25 Mar 2025 | W |  Somalia |
2–0 | World Cup Qualification | H · Francistown |
Key facts
- At home
- 57W 39D 54L (38% wins)
- Away
- 15W 38D 74L (12% wins)
- Neutral venues
- 18W 17D 22L (32% wins)
- Goals per match
- 0.81 scored, 1.29 conceded
- Clean sheets
- 122 (37%)
- Failed to score
- 154 matches (46%)
- Most common score
- 0–0 (58 times)
- vs Asia
- 0W 2D 0L
- vs North America
- 0W 1D 0L
- vs Oceania
- 0W 1D 0L
- vs Europe
- 0W 0D 1L
- Best decade
- 2010s (33% wins)
- First recorded match
- Malawi 8–1 Botswana (1968)
Where Botswana players were born
All birthplaces →Each dot is a birthplace; bigger dots mean more players. Players born outside Africa are on the born abroad page.
Active Botswana internationals
Where they play →| Player | Position | Club | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refilwe Tholakele | Forward |  Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies FC | – | – |
| Lebogang Ditsele | Midfielder | Gaborone United S.C. | – | – |
| Tlhalefo Molebatsi | Forward | Township Rollers F.C. | – | – |
| Bame Morwalela | Forward | Township Rollers F.C. | – | – |
Players with an open club spell and a senior cap on record; not an official squad list.
Top scorers
Full list →- Diphetogo Selolwane2003–2008
- Mogakolodi Ngele2012–2023
- Tshepiso Molwantwa2003–2005
- Dipsy Selolwane2004–2012
- Joel Mogorosi2015–2015
- Nelson Gabolwelwe2003–2004
- Ofentse Nato2012–2013
- Jerome Ramatlhakwane2013–2013
- Kabelo Seakanyeng2023–2024
- Tebogo Kopelang2025–2025
Record by competition
| Competition | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Titles | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFCON Qualification | 81 | 16 | 21 | 44 | 44 | 117 | 1992–2026 | |
| COSAFA Cup | 53 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 52 | 49 | 2000–2023 | |
| World Cup Qualification | 46 | 13 | 7 | 26 | 45 | 69 | 1992–2025 | |
| Africa Cup of Nations | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 16 | 2012–2025 | |
| COSAFA Cup Qualification | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 10 | 1997–1999 |
Notable Botswana players
All players →
Mompati ThumaBotswana · b. 1980
M
Mogogi GabonamongBotswana · b. 1982
L
Lemponye TshireletsoBotswana · b. 1984
M
Modiri MarumoBotswana · b. 1976
P
Pontsho MoloiBotswana · b. 1981
M
Michelle AbuengBotswana · b. 2001
Frequently asked questions
What is the nickname of the Botswana national team?
Botswana are nicknamed the Zebras.
How many times have Botswana won AFCON?
Botswana have won the Africa Cup of Nations 0 times.
Have Botswana played at the World Cup?
No, Botswana have not qualified for a World Cup finals tournament yet.
Who is the top scorer for Botswana?
In our match database, Diphetogo Selolwane leads with 5 goals. Goal data is most complete for tournament matches.
What is the biggest win in Botswana history?
Botswana 6–0 Mauritius on 1 June 2018 (COSAFA Cup).