Botswana women's national football team

Last updated
Botswana
Nickname(s) The Mares [1]
The Zebras [2]
Association Botswana Football Association
Confederation CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation COSAFA
(Southern Africa)
Head coach Basimanebotlhe Malete
Captain Sedilame Boseja
Home stadium Botswana National Stadium
FIFA code BOT
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First colours
Kit left arm bot21a.png
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Kit shorts.svg
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Second colours
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Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 153 Steady2.svg (12 June 2025) [3]
Highest102 (July 2003)
Lowest154 (December 2021 – March 2022)
First international
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 14–0 Botswana  Flag of Botswana.svg
(Harare, Zimbabwe; April 19, 2002)
Biggest win
Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana 7–0 Mauritius  Flag of Mauritius.svg
(Lobatse, Botswana; March 5, 2016)
Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana 7–0 South Sudan  Flag of South Sudan.svg
(Port Elizabeth, South Africa; September 29, 2021)
Biggest defeat
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 14–0 Botswana  Flag of Botswana.svg
(Harare, Zimbabwe; April 19, 2002)
World Cup
Appearances0
Olympic Games
Appearances0
Women's Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances2 (first in 2022 )
Best resultQuarter-finals (2022)

The Botswana women's national football team [4] is the women's national football team of Botswana and is controlled by the Botswana Football Association. They qualified for their maiden Women's Africa Cup of Nations tournament 2022 in Morocco where they made it to the quarterfinals. [5] [6]

Contents

History

Botswana played their first match in Harare, Zimbabwe on April 19, 2002, against South Africa in a series of friendlies. They lost 14–0. After this match, they lost 3–0 against Swaziland and 7–1 against Mozambique, where they scored their first goal.

Botswana's first major competition was in the 2008 African Women's Championship qualification where after 5 years, they played an international match, this time against Namibia. The Mares lost both legs by 3–0 and 6–1.

Botswana had played with Zambia on 4 May 2008 and lost 4–2.

With a U20 team, Zebras played 2010 African Women's Championship qualifiers against Congo DR and again lost both legs, this time by 2–0 and 5–2 and did not qualify for either the 2010 African Women's Championship and the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup

A series of friendlies occurred in October 2010, against Zambia on 2 and 23 October. They lost 1–4 and 1–2 respectively; against Tanzania on 25 October and 26 October, lost 2–3 and draw 1–1. In the next year, March 2011, they again played against Namibia and lost 1–0.

In 2011, one of the two friendlies in April and May with South Africa marked their first victory, by 1–0. The other match was lost 4–0. In August, they played against Tanzania on 2 August, losing 3–1; South Africa on August 3, losing 4–0 and against Zambia, also losing, 4–1.

They entered the 2012 African Women's Championship qualifiers and played against Zimbabwe, and were eliminated by an aggregate score of 3–1, due to losing the two legs by 1–0 and 2–1. Last friendlies in 2012 included two losses against South Africa (3–0) and Zimbabwe (5–0).

Before the 2014 African Women's Championship qualifiers, the team played the first 2014 matches, against Swaziland on 7 and 8 January and won for the second and third time, by 3–0 and 3–1. The first leg of the qualifiers for the African Championship started on 14 February with a loss against Zimbabwe 1–0 and the second leg was played on 2 March, with another loss, by 2–1. Botswana were eliminated from the African Championship and the World Cup. On June 7 of the same year, they played against South Africa, losing 4–0.

Women's Africa Cup of Nations

They made their debut at the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations. They won their first match 4-2 against fellow debutants Burundi and lost their next two matches 2-0 against Nigeria and 1-0 against South Africa to finish third in group C. [7] They qualified for the quarterfinals as the second best third ranked team where they lost 2-1 against hosts Morocco. [8] [9]

Team image

Home stadium

The Botswana women's national football team plays their home matches at the Botswana National Stadium.

Results and fixtures

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

Legend

  Win  Draw  Lose  Fixture

2024

27 February Friendly Russia  Flag of Russia.svg4–0Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana Antalya, Turkey
16:00  UTC+2
Report
6 April 2024 (2024-04-06) Friendly Botswana  Flag of Botswana.svg2–1Flag of Lesotho.svg  Lesotho Tlokweng, Botswana
16:00  UTC+2
Stadium: Royal Aria Stadium
9 April 2024 (2024-04-09) Friendly Botswana  Flag of Botswana.svg1–1Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia Tlokweng, Botswana
16:00
Stadium: Royal Aria Stadium
13 July 2024 Tunis Women's Cup Botswana  Flag of Botswana.svg0–0Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania Tunis, Tunisia
15:00  UTC+1 Stadium: Chedly Zouiten Stadium
15 July 2024 Tunis Women's Cup Tunisia  Flag of Tunisia.svg1–0Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana Tunis, Tunisia
15:00  UTC+1 Shaiek Soccerball shade.svg75'Stadium: Chedly Zouiten Stadium
23 October 2024 (2024-10-23) 2024 COSAFA WC GS Malawi  Flag of Malawi.svg 1–1 Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana Ibhayi, South Africa
15:00  UTC+2 Chizimu Soccerball shade.svg28' Report Moloi Soccerball shade.svg40'Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium
Referee: Nteboheleng Setoko (Lesotho)
26 October 2024 (2024-10-26) 2024 COSAFA WC GS Botswana  Flag of Botswana.svg 5–0 Flag of Mauritius.svg  Mauritius Gqeberha, South Africa
12:00  UTC+2
Report Stadium: Madibaz Stadium
Referee: Tania Marisa Duarte (Angola)
28 October 2024 (2024-10-28) 2024 COSAFA WC GS Madagascar  Flag of Madagascar.svg 0–0 Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana Ibhayi, South Africa
12:00  UTC+2 Report Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium
Referee: Mercy Chipo Mayimbo (Zimbabwe)
28 November 2024 (2024-11-28) Friendly Morocco  Flag of Morocco.svg3–1Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana Tétouan, Morocco
18:00  UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Saniat Rmel Stadium
Referee: Aida Sy (Senegal)
1 December 2024 (2024-12-01) Friendly Mali  Flag of Mali.svg0–1Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana Tanger, Morocco
16:00  UTC+1 Report Moloi Soccerball shade.svg61'Stadium: Tanger Stadium

2025

20 February 2025 (2025-02-20) 2026 WAFCON qualifying Botswana  Flag of Botswana.svg0–2Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg  DR Congo Francistown, Botswana
15:00  UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Francistown Stadium
26 February 2025 (2025-02-26) 2026 WAFCON qualifying DR Congo  Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg0–0
(2–0 agg.)
Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana Kinshasa, Congo DR
17:00  UTC+1 Report Stadium: Stade des Martyrs
Referee: Shamirah Nabadda (Uganda)
Note: DR Congo won 2–0 on aggregate.
28 May 2025 (2025-05-28) Nations Challenge South Africa  Flag of South Africa.svg3–2Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana Pretoria, South Africa
15:00  UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Lucas Moripe Stadium
31 May 2025 (2025-05-31) Nations Challenge Botswana  Flag of Botswana.svg1–1Flag of Zambia.svg  Zambia Pretoria, South Africa
15:00  UTC+2 Ontlametse Soccerball shade.svg80' Report B. Banda Soccerball shade.svg63'Stadium: Lucas Moripe Stadium
6 July 2025 (2025-07-06) 2024 WAFCON GS Algeria  Flag of Algeria.svg1–0Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana Casablanca, Morocco
20:00  UTC+1 Stadium: Père Jégo Stadium
Referee: Yacine Samassa (Mauritania)
10 July CAF WAFCON 2024 GS Botswana  Flag of Botswana.svg0-1Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria Casablanca, Morocco
20:00  UTC+1 Report
Stadium: Larbi Zaouli Stadium
Referee: Aline Umutoni (Rwanda)
13 July 2024 WAFCON GS Tunisia  Flag of Tunisia.svg1-2Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana Casablanca, Morocco
20:00  UTC+0 Report Stadium: Père Jégo Stadium
Referee: Aline Guimbang Etong (Cameroon)

Source: globalsportsarchive.com

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

As of 7 November 2023
PositionNameRef.
Head coach Basimanebotlhe Alex Malete [10]
Assistant coachTapaphiwa Tracy Gaebolae
Jacqualine Lorato Gaobinelwe
Goalkeeper coachDavid Puso
PhysicianKealebogga K. Rakereng

Manager history

Players

Current squad

Caps and goals accurate up to and including 12 July 2025.

No.Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClub
11 GK Tlamelo Pheresi (1996-11-30) 30 November 1996 (age 28)00 Flag of Botswana.svg Gaborone United
161 GK Sedilame Boseja (1997-12-01) 1 December 1997 (age 27)100 Flag of South Africa.svg Mamelodi Sundowns
231 GK Lesego Moeng (1998-02-03) 3 February 1998 (age 27)60 Flag of South Africa.svg TS Galaxy

22 DF Kesegofetse Mochawe (1995-07-30) 30 July 1995 (age 29)00 Flag of Botswana.svg Gaborone United
42 DF Masego Montsho (1991-06-15) 15 June 1991 (age 34)00 Flag of Botswana.svg Security Systems
82 DF Lone Gaofetoge (2001-07-16) 16 July 2001 (age 24)00 Flag of Turkey.svg Hakkarigücü Spor
92 DF Mokgabo Thanda (1993-04-03) 3 April 1993 (age 32)00 Flag of Zambia.svg Green Buffaloes
142 DF Veronicah Mogotsi (1992-08-21) 21 August 1992 (age 32)00 Flag of Botswana.svg Double Action
222 DF Boitumelo Gammu (1995-07-23) 23 July 1995 (age 29)00 Flag of Namibia.svg Ongos

33 MF Nancy Baeletsi (1996-03-21) 21 March 1996 (age 29)00 Flag of Botswana.svg Gaborone United
53 MF Leungo Senwelo (2001-12-23) 23 December 2001 (age 23)00 Flag of Botswana.svg Mazotie
63 MF Golebaone Selebatso (1991-03-22) 22 March 1991 (age 34)00 Flag of Botswana.svg Gaborone United
123 MF Obonetse Rathari (2002-11-11) 11 November 2002 (age 22)00 Flag of Botswana.svg Gaborone United
173 MF Esalenna Galekhutle (2001-01-23) 23 January 2001 (age 24)00 Flag of the United States.svg William Carey University
193 MF Laone Moloi (2000-11-26) 26 November 2000 (age 24)00 Flag of Botswana.svg Double Action
213 MF Tshegofatso Mosotho (2002-06-19) 19 June 2002 (age 23)00 Flag of Botswana.svg Mazotie

74 FW Refilwe Tholakele (1996-01-26) 26 January 1996 (age 29)158 Flag of South Africa.svg Mamelodi Sundowns
104 FW Lesego Radiakanyo (1999-06-27) 27 June 1999 (age 26)00 Flag of Botswana.svg Gaborone United
114 FW Michelle Abueng (2001-05-06) 6 May 2001 (age 24)00 Flag of Botswana.svg Botswana Defence Force
134 FW Keitumetse Dithebe (2002-07-17) 17 July 2002 (age 23)00 Flag of Turkey.svg ABB Fomget
154 FW Balotlhanyi Johannes (1994-06-28) 28 June 1994 (age 31)00 Flag of Botswana.svg Double Action
184 FW Nondi Mahlasela (1991-12-25) 25 December 1991 (age 33)00 Flag of Botswana.svg Prisons XI
204 FW Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse (2000-01-12) 12 January 2000 (age 25)00 Flag of Botswana.svg Gaborone United
244 FW Peggy Manewe (2004-12-25) 25 December 2004 (age 20)00 Flag of Botswana.svg Double Action
254 FW Yaone Modise (2005-12-09) 9 December 2005 (age 19)00 Flag of Botswana.svg Gaborone United
264 FW Jessica Maponga (2004-02-24) 24 February 2004 (age 21)00 Flag of Botswana.svg Gaborone United

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up to a Botswana squad in the past 12 months.

Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClubLatest call-up
GK Bame Mokibe (1998-11-28) 28 November 1998 (age 26)20 Flag of Botswana.svg Double Actionv. Flag of Tunisia.svg  Tunisia, 15 July 2024
GK Doris Motshegwe (2002-04-12) 12 April 2002 (age 23) Flag of Botswana.svg Wonder Girlsv. Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg  DR Congo,26 February 2025

DF Lorato Motlogelwa (2003-03-24) 24 March 2003 (age 22) Flag of Botswana.svg Makufa SCv. Flag of Tunisia.svg  Tunisia, 15 July 2024
DF Neo Repito Flag of Botswana.svg Mexican Girlsv. Flag of Tunisia.svg  Tunisia, 15 July 2024
DF Oteng Bonang (1998-12-28) 28 December 1998 (age 26)00 Flag of Botswana.svg Gaborone United v. Flag of Zambia.svg  Zambia, 31 May 2025
DF Desiree Kenyaditswe (2004-02-20) 20 February 2004 (age 21)110 Flag of Botswana.svg Double Action v. Flag of Zambia.svg  Zambia, 31 May 2025

MF Annah Nametso Sechane (2001-02-07) 7 February 2001 (age 24) Flag of Botswana.svg Gaborone United v. Flag of Russia.svg  Russia, 27 February 2024
MF Precious Tlhapi (2002-05-11) 11 May 2002 (age 23) Flag of Botswana.svg Makufa SCv. Flag of Tunisia.svg  Tunisia, 15 July 2024
MF Oratile Rathari (2002-11-11) 11 November 2002 (age 22)20 Flag of Botswana.svg Double Actionv. Flag of Tunisia.svg  Tunisia, 15 July 2024
MF Tshegofatso Mosotho (2002-06-19) 19 June 2002 (age 23)00 Flag of Botswana.svg Mazzoti

FW Dimpho Senwelo Flag of Botswana.svg Western Daynamitesv. Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia, 9 April 2024
FW Lesego Keleboge Flag of Botswana.svg Security Systemsv. Flag of Russia.svg  Russia, 27 February 2024
FW Atang Busang Flag of Botswana.svg Gaborone United v. Flag of Mali.svg  Mali, 1 December 2024
FW Jessica Modise (2005-12-09) 9 December 2005 (age 19)00 Flag of Botswana.svg Gaborone United v. Flag of Zambia.svg  Zambia, 31 May 2025
FW Nolofatso Mamela 00 Flag of Botswana.svg NICO United v. Flag of Zambia.svg  Zambia, 31 May 2025

Previous squads

Africa Women Cup of Nations
COSAFA Women's Championship

Records

Honours

Regional

Med 2.png Runners-up: 2020

Competitive record

FIFA Women's World Cup

FIFA Women's World Cup record
YearResultGPWD*LGFGAGD
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg 1991 Did not enter
Flag of Sweden.svg 1995
Flag of the United States.svg 1999
Flag of the United States.svg 2003
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg 2007
Flag of Germany.svg 2011 Did not qualify
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg 2015
Flag of France (lighter variant).svg 2019
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Flag of New Zealand.svg 2023
Flag of Brazil.svg 2027
Flag of Mexico.svg Flag of the United States.svg 2031 To be determined
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg 2035 To be determined
Total0/12-------
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Olympic Games

Summer Olympics record
YearResultMatchesWinsDrawsLossesGFGA
Flag of the United States.svg 1996 Did Not Enter
Flag of Australia (converted).svg 2000
Flag of Greece.svg 2004
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg 2008
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg 2012 Did Not Qualify
Flag of Brazil.svg 2016
Flag of Japan.svg 2021
Flag of France.svg 2024
Flag of the United States.svg 2028 To be determined
Total0/9000000

Africa Women Cup of Nations

Africa Women Cup of Nations record
YearResultMatchesWinsDrawsLossesGFGA
1991 Did not enter
1995
Flag of Nigeria.svg 1998
Flag of South Africa.svg 2000
Flag of Nigeria.svg 2002 Withdrew
Flag of South Africa.svg 2004 Did not enter
Flag of Nigeria.svg 2006 Withdrew
Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg 2008 Did not qualify
Flag of South Africa.svg 2010
Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg 2012
Flag of Namibia.svg 2014
Flag of Cameroon.svg 2016
Flag of Ghana.svg 2018
Flag of the Republic of the Congo.svg 2020 Cancelled
Flag of Morocco.svg 2022 Quarter-finals410357
Flag of Morocco.svg 2024 Group stage310223
Flag of Morocco.svg 2026 Did not qualify
Total2/167205710

African Games

African Games record
YearResultMatchesWinsDrawsLossesGFGA
Flag of Nigeria.svg 2003 Did Not Enter
Flag of Algeria.svg 2007
Flag of Mozambique.svg 2011 Did Not Qualify
Flag of the Republic of the Congo.svg 2015
Flag of Morocco.svg 2019
Flag of Ghana.svg 2023
Flag of Egypt.svg 2027 TBD
Total0/5000000

COSAFA Women's Championship

COSAFA Women's Championship record
YearRoundPldWD*LGSGAGD
Flag of Zimbabwe.svg 2002 Group Stage3003124−23
Flag of Zambia.svg 2006 Did not enter
Flag of Angola.svg 2008 ----
Flag of Zimbabwe.svg 2011 Group Stage3003211−9
Flag of Zimbabwe.svg 2017 Group Stage311145−1
Flag of South Africa.svg 2018 Group Stage311121+1
Flag of South Africa.svg 2019 Fourth4211440
Flag of South Africa.svg 2020 Runner -up430153+2
Flag of South Africa.svg 2021 Group Stage310275+2
Flag of South Africa.svg 2023 Group stage312052+3
TotalRunner-up2395123055-25
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Honours

All−time record against FIFA recognized nations

The list shown below shows the Djibouti national football team all−time international record against opposing nations.
*As of xxxxxx after match against xxxx.

Key
  Positive balance (more wins than losses)
  Neutral balance (as many wins as losses)
  Negative balance (more losses than wins)
AgainstPldWDLGFGAGDConfederation

    Record per opponent

    *As ofxxxxx after match against xxxxx.

    Key
      Positive balance (more wins than losses)
      Neutral balance (as many wins as losses)
      Negative balance (more losses than wins)

    The following table shows Djibouti's all-time official international record per opponent:

    OpponentPldWDLGFGAGDW%Confederation
    Total

    See also

    References

    1. Keagakwa, City (24 February 2024). "Sundowns, GU chase Mares' stars". Botswana Guardian. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
    2. Kebonang, Segametsi (24 May 2015). "Botswana: Zebras Women Make Nation Proud". Botswana Daily News. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
    3. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
    4. "Botswana Women". betsapi.com. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
    5. Mailwane, Tshepang Moeketsi (2022-02-24). "AWCON 2022: Botswana make history and players get rewarded - Feminine zone". Sport News Africa. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
    6. Boranabi, Chakalisa Dube,Lebogang Mosikare,Kabelo (2022-02-26). "Coach undeterred by contract issue". Mmegi Online. Retrieved 2022-03-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
    7. Nigeria, News Agency of (2022-07-05). "WAFCON 2022: Botswana bruise Burundi in six-goal thriller". Peoples Gazette Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
    8. "botswana-scale-through-to-seal-maiden-wafcon-berth". botswana-scale-through-to-seal-maiden-wafcon-berth. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
    9. Okinyo, Collins (2022-07-14). "WAFCON 2022 - Hosts Morocco Beat Botswana to book World Cup Ticket, Semi Final Slot". Soka25east. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
    10. "tech staff of Botswana". twitter .
    11. "Botswana off to Morocco: The Mares Begin Their Quest for African Glory!". Botswana Football Association. 17 June 2025. Retrieved 20 June 2025 via Facebook.