Wednesday March 26, 2025
Somalia’s national football team lines up for a pre-match photo ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Botswana at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown, March 25, 2025. The Ocean Stars showed resilience in the first half before falling 2-0 in the second.
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s search for a first-ever win in FIFA World Cup qualifying continues after a 2-0 defeat to Botswana on Tuesday night in Francistown, a result that illustrated the Ocean Stars’ defensive resilience but ultimately exposed their struggles in transition and depth.
The match at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium was scoreless for more than 70 minutes, with Somalia producing a disciplined defensive performance in the first half and managing to frustrate Botswana’s attacking efforts, even after losing left-back Abdirahman Farah to injury just 21 minutes in.
But the Zebras, desperate to return to winning ways after falling to Algeria, eventually broke through in the 74th minute. Substitute Tshepo Keselebale delivered a low cross converted by Gape Mohutsiwa, slipping past goalkeeper Abdirahman Mohamud Jama to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Somalia, whose deep-lying midfield struggled to push forward in support of isolated striker Abdinasir Ahmed, were punished again just nine minutes later when Mothusi Johnson doubled Botswana’s advantage after capitalizing on a defensive lapse. It was a blow to a Somali side that had contained the hosts for much of the game.
Head coach Yusuf Ali Nur, who had spoken before the match about tactical discipline and team-based defending, was forced into early changes. Injuries to key players and limited attacking options restricted his ability to rotate or respond after Botswana took the lead.
Somalia remain bottom of Group G, still without a win in five matches. They have, however, shown signs of improvement in recent months, having held Guinea to a draw last week — the first World Cup qualifying point in Somali football history.
Botswana’s win, meanwhile, lifts them to third place, one point behind Guinea. They will face Algeria in September as qualifiers resume, while Somalia are set to host Guinea in what may now be their best chance at a historic first win.
Somalia’s long-standing struggles in international football are well documented. The Ocean Stars have never won a World Cup qualifying match and have often been forced to play home games in Morocco or Djibouti due to security concerns. Despite these challenges, the Somali Football Federation has recently stepped up efforts to rebuild the national team, including outreach to diaspora talent and youth development initiatives in Europe and the Gulf. Last week’s draw against Guinea marked a historic first point in World Cup qualification—a small but symbolic step for a side that has never lacked belief, only resources.