# Botswana national football team

The Botswana national football team (Tswana: Setlhopha sa bosetšhaba sa kgwele ya dinao sa Botswana) 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, the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

## 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.
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. 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. This was despite manager Didier Gomes Da Rosa resigning to take charge of Al Ahli, meaning Morena Ramoreboli took interim charge for the team's last two matches.

## 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.
Win  Draw  Loss  Fixture

### 2025
## Coaching history

    Caretaker managers are listed in italics.
* Thomas Johnson (1973)
* Rudi Gutendorf (1976)
* Peter Cormack (1986–1987)
* Kenny Mwape (1990–1992)
* Freddie Mwila (1992–1994)
* Freddie Mwila (1994–1996)
* Michael Gaborone (1996–1997)
* David Bright (1997–1998, 1999, 2000, 2006, 2017–2019)
* Jeff Butler (1999)
* Karl-Heinz Marotzke (2001)
* Veselin Jelušić (2002–2005)
* Colwyn Rowe (2006–2008)
* Stanley Tshosane (2008–2013)
* Peter Butler (2014–2017)
* Mogomotsi Mpote (2017, 2019)
* Mfolo Mfolo (2019)
* Adel Amrouche (2019–2022)
* Rahman Gumbo (2022)
* Mogomotsi Mpote (2022–2023)
* Didier Gomes Da Rosa (2023-2024)
* Morena Ramoreboli (2024-)

## 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.
Caps and goals correct as of 19 November 2024, after the match against Egypt.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
| 1GK | Goitseone Phoko | (1994-12-13) 13 December 1994 (age 30) | 34 | 1 | Jwaneng Galaxy |
| 1GK | Lesenya Malapela | (1996-07-10) 10 July 1996 (age 28) | 5 | 0 | Orapa United |
| 1GK | Kabelo Maphakela | (1998-08-06) 6 August 1998 (age 26) | 1 | 0 | Mochudi Centre Chiefs |
| 2DF | Mosha Gaolaolwe | (1993-12-25) 25 December 1993 (age 31) | 87 | 5 | Township Rollers |
| 2DF | Thatayaone Ditlhokwe | (1998-09-21) 21 September 1998 (age 26) | 38 | 2 | Al-Ittihad |
| 2DF | Tebogo Kopelang | (2000-04-24) 24 April 2000 (age 24) | 28 | 1 | Jwaneng Galaxy |
| 2DF | Mothusi Johnson | (1997-07-28) 28 July 1997 (age 27) | 27 | 0 | Gaborone United |
| 2DF | Alfred Velaphi | (1999-01-18) 18 January 1999 (age 26) | 27 | 0 | Gaborone United |
| 2DF | Kitso Mangolo | (1999-01-06) 6 January 1999 (age 26) | 23 | 1 | Mochudi Centre Chiefs |
| 2DF | Thabo Leinanyane | (1993-07-27) 27 July 1993 (age 31) | 18 | 0 | Jwaneng Galaxy |
| 2DF | Kemoneetswe Mmangwedi | (1999-02-03) 3 February 1999 (age 26) | 0 | 0 | TAFIC |
| 3MF | Lebogang Ditsele | (1996-04-20) 20 April 1996 (age 28) | 56 | 3 | Gaborone United |
| 3MF | Segolame Boy | (1992-11-07) 7 November 1992 (age 32) | 43 | 4 | Township Rollers |
| 3MF | Thero Setsile | (1995-10-08) 8 October 1995 (age 29) | 33 | 3 | Jwaneng Galaxy |
| 3MF | Gape Mohutsiwa | (1997-03-20) 20 March 1997 (age 27) | 27 | 2 | ASO Chlef |
| 3MF | Godiraone Modingwane | (1996-06-26) 26 June 1996 (age 28) | 23 | 0 | Botswana Defence Force |
| 3MF | Gilbert Baruti | (1992-03-16) 16 March 1992 (age 33) | 15 | 1 | Jwaneng Galaxy |
| 3MF | Gift Moyo | (1990-08-20) 20 August 1990 (age 34) | 11 | 0 | Jwaneng Galaxy |
| 3MF | Koketso Majafi | (1992-11-07) 7 November 1992 (age 32) | 6 | 0 | Orapa United |
| 3MF | Renei Batlokwa | (1997-12-18) 18 December 1997 (age 27) | 1 | 0 | Maldon & Tiptree |
| 3MF | Theo Shadikong | (2002-03-26) 26 March 2002 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | TAFIC |
| 4FW | Kabelo Seakanyeng | (1993-06-25) 25 June 1993 (age 31) | 69 | 10 | Maghreb of Fez |
| 4FW | Tumisang Orebonye | (1996-03-26) 26 March 1996 (age 28) | 56 | 6 | Al-Ittihad |
| 4FW | Tshepo Keselebale | (2001-02-19) 19 February 2001 (age 24) | 2 | 0 | Security Systems |
| 4FW | Godfrey Tauyatswala | (2001-01-25) 25 January 2001 (age 24) | 0 | 0 | Township Rollers |

### Recent call-ups

The following players were last called up within the last twelve months.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
| GK | Victor James | (2002-08-27) 27 August 2002 (age 22) | 1 | 0 | Masitaoka | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| GK | Karamelo Kgosipula | (2003-02-06) 6 February 2003 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | Matebele | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| GK | Kenneth Mmoko | (1999-10-13) 13 October 1999 (age 25) | 0 | 0 | Sua Flamingoes | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| GK | Jovan Nikolic | (2001-09-09) 9 September 2001 (age 23) | 0 | 0 | Marinhense | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| GK | Kabelo Dambe | (1990-05-10) 10 May 1990 (age 34) | 63 | 0 | Township Rollers | v. Somalia, 10 June 2024 |
| GK | Thabo Motswagole | (2000-04-22) 22 April 2000 (age 24) | 1 | 0 | Masitaoka | v. Somalia, 10 June 2024 |
| DF | Thabo Babutsi | (2000-07-24) 24 July 2000 (age 24) | 3 | 0 | Township Rollers | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| DF | Atamelang Lesogo | | 1 | 0 | Orapa United | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| DF | Botsile Sakana | (2001-01-26) 26 January 2001 (age 24) | 1 | 0 | Masitaoka | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| DF | Obakeng Senono | (1999-09-29) 29 September 1999 (age 25) | 1 | 0 | Masitaoka | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| DF | Leruo Ratala | (2002-03-28) 28 March 2002 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | Gaborone United | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| DF | Bonno Sepako | | 0 | 0 | UB Hawks | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| DF | Motsholetsi Sikele | (1991-12-01) 1 December 1991 (age 33) | 4 | 0 | Township Rollers | v. Somalia, 10 June 2024 |
| MF | Gape Thibedi | (2000-02-02) 2 February 2000 (age 25) | 11 | 0 | Gaborone United | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| MF | Olebogeng Ramotse | (1998-01-17) 17 January 1998 (age 27) | 9 | 0 | Masitaoka | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| MF | Tawana Mbakile | (2000-07-14) 14 July 2000 (age 24) | 5 | 0 | Security Systems | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| MF | Obakeng Ramotlhwa | (1999-07-26) 26 July 1999 (age 25) | 1 | 0 | Masitaoka | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| MF | Ricky Ratlhogo | (2000-12-08) 8 December 2000 (age 24) | 1 | 0 | Orapa United | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| MF | Ofentse Mbaiwa | (2003-06-10) 10 June 2003 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | Eleven Angels | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| MF | Boniface Ramolale | (2002-04-03) 3 April 2002 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | Masitaoka | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| MF | Shaun Theron | (2003-03-11) 11 March 2003 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | Jwaneng Galaxy | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| MF | Phenyo Serameng | (1996-09-27) 27 September 1996 (age 28) | 4 | 0 | Township Rollers | v. Somalia, 10 June 2024 |
| MF | Mpho Kgaswane | (1994-06-13) 13 June 1994 (age 30) | 21 | 2 | Gaborone United | v. Burundi, 25 March 2024 |
| MF | Christopher Lemme | (1995-11-05) 5 November 1995 (age 29) | 3 | 0 | Security Systems | v. Burundi, 25 March 2024 |
| FW | Molaodi Tlhalefang | (1997-07-07) 7 July 1997 (age 27) | 11 | 2 | Miscellaneous SC Serowe | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| FW | Eric Ookame | (2001-04-03) 3 April 2001 (age 23) | 4 | 0 | Eleven Angels | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| FW | Oarabile Sekwai | (1998-11-28) 28 November 1998 (age 26) | 4 | 0 | Police XI | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| FW | Lizo Skweyiya | (2004-01-01) 1 January 2004 (age 21) | 4 | 0 | Orlando Pirates | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| FW | Thabiso Bante | (1995-04-25) 25 April 1995 (age 29) | 2 | 0 | TAFIC | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| FW | Bame Morwalela | (1999-03-25) 25 March 1999 (age 25) | 2 | 1 | Township Rollers | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| FW | Thabang Sesinyi | (1992-10-15) 15 October 1992 (age 32) | 23 | 3 | Jwaneng Galaxy | v. Somalia, 10 June 2024 |

## Player records

    As of 15 November 2024
    Players in bold are still active with Botswana.

### Most appearances

| Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career |
| 1 | Joel Mogorosi | 92 | 16 | 2005–2019 |
| 2 | Mompati Thuma | 86 | 1 | 2004–2013 |
| 3 | Modiri Marumo | 85 | 0 | 1997–2015 |
| 3 | Mosha Gaolaolwe | 85 | 2 | 2013–present |
| 5 | Ndiapo Letsholathebe | 78 | 0 | 2003–2013 |
| 6 | Tshepo Motlhabankwe | 76 | 2 | 2003–2013 |
| 7 | Mogogi Gabonamong | 74 | 4 | 1999–2015 |
| 8 | Dipsy Selolwane | 68 | 18 | 1998–2012 |
| 9 | Kabelo Seakanyeng | 67 | 10 | 2014–present |
| 10 | Lemponye Tshireletso | 64 | 11 | 2009–2020 |

### Top goalscorers

| Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
| 1 | Jerome Ramatlhakwane | 24 | 61 | 0.39 | 2006–2018 |
| 2 | Dipsy Selolwane | 18 | 68 | 0.26 | 1998–2012 |
| 3 | Joel Mogorosi | 16 | 92 | 0.17 | 2005–2019 |
| 4 | Lemponye Tshireletso | 11 | 64 | 0.17 | 2009–2020 |
| 5 | Onkabetse Makgantai | 10 | 27 | 0.37 | 2014–2021 |
| 5 | Kabelo Seakanyeng | 10 | 67 | 0.15 | 2014–present |
| 7 | Moemedi Moatlhaping | 9 | 50 | 0.18 | 2004–2013 |
| 8 | Tshepiso Molwantwa | 8 | 44 | 0.18 | 1998–2006 |
| 9 | Pontsho Moloi | 7 | 50 | 0.14 | 2004–2012 |
| 10 | Tumisang Orebonye | 6 | 54 | 0.11 | 2017–present |

## Competitive records
### FIFA World Cup

| FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record |
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
| 1970 to 1978 | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member |
| 1982 to 1990 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation |
| 1994 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 9 |
| 1998 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 2002 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 2006 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 12 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 14 | 19 |
| 2010 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 8 |
| 2014 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 10 |
| 2018 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 |
| 2022 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2026 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 5 |
| 2030 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| 2034 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| Total | | 0/11 | | | | | | | 40 | 12 | 6 | 22 | 39 | 58 |

### Africa Cup of Nations

| Africa Cup of Nations record | Africa Cup of Nations record | Africa Cup of Nations record | Africa Cup of Nations record | Africa Cup of Nations record | Africa Cup of Nations record | Africa Cup of Nations record | Africa Cup of Nations record | Africa Cup of Nations record | record | record | record | record | record | record |
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
| 1957 | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom |
| 1959 | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom |
| 1962 | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom |
| 1963 | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom |
| 1965 | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom |
| 1968 | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF |
| 1970 | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF |
| 1974 | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF |
| 1976 | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF |
| 1978 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1980 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1982 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1984 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1986 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1988 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1990 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1992 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1994 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 1996 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 10 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 5 | 27 |
| 1998 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| 2000 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2002 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 2004 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| 2006 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 12 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 14 | 19 |
| 2008 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 |
| 2010 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 8 |
| 2012 | Group stage | 16th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 3 |
| 2013 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| 2015 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 11 |
| 2017 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 8 |
| 2019 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 8 |
| 2021 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 9 |
| 2023 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 9 |
| 2025 | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 7 |
| 2027 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| 2029 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| Total | Group stage | 2/34 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 96 | 20 | 20 | 55 | 54 | 144 |

### COSAFA Cup
## Head-to-head record

As of 19 November 2024 after match against Egypt
Key :
* Positive balance (more Wins)
* Neutral balance (Wins = Losses)
* Negative balance (more Losses)
| Opponent | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| Algeria | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | −6 |
| Angola | 14 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 14 | −8 |
| Burkina Faso | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 | −4 |
| Burundi | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | +1 |
| Central African Republic | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 |
| Cameroon | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cape Verde | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 |
| Chad | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 |
| China | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | −5 |
| Comoros | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 |
| DR Congo | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 4 | −4 |
| Egypt | 8 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 12 | −10 |
| Equatorial Guinea | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | –1 |
| Eritrea | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 |
| Ethiopia | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 4 | +3 |
| Gabon | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ghana | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 |
| Guinea | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 18 | −15 |
| Guinea-Bissau | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 |
| Iran | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Iraq | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Ivory Coast | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 11 | −10 |
| Kenya | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 10 | −3 |
| Lesotho | 31 | 15 | 11 | 5 | 39 | 23 | +16 |
| Liberia | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 |
| Libya | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | −1 |
| Madagascar | 8 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | −1 |
| Malawi | 25 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 21 | 47 | −26 |
| Mali | 7 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 19 | −14 |
| Mauritania | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 10 | −6 |
| Mauritius | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | +5 |
| Morocco | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | −2 |
| Mozambique | 24 | 5 | 5 | 14 | 19 | 38 | −19 |
| Namibia | 20 | 7 | 11 | 2 | 19 | 18 | +1 |
| New Zealand | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Niger | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | −2 |
| Nigeria | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Senegal | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | −5 |
| Rwanda | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seychelles | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | +7 |
| Somalia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 |
| South Africa | 20 | 0 | 6 | 14 | 10 | 31 | −21 |
| South Sudan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 |
| Swaziland | 31 | 16 | 10 | 5 | 45 | 25 | +20 |
| Sweden | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 |
| Tanzania | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 9 | −2 |
| Togo | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tunisia | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 12 | −7 |
| Uganda | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 8 | −6 |
| Zambia | 26 | 4 | 7 | 15 | 12 | 39 | −27 |
| Zimbabwe | 19 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 9 | 23 | −14 |
| Total | 351 | 94 | 97 | 160 | 284 | 438 | −154 |

## Honours
### Regional

* COSAFA Cup
** Runners-up (2): 2016, 2019

### Awards

* African National Team of the Year: 2011