Senegal: the Lions closing in on Algeria's historic record

Senegal: following in the footsteps of Belmadi's Algeria

Senegal: the Lions closing in on Algeria's historic record

Senegal keeps on making history. With a commanding 4-0 victory over Mauritania in the final round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the Lions of Teranga have secured their third consecutive appearance at the world's most prestigious international tournament. But beyond this qualification, another statistic is making headlines: Pape Thiaw's men are now on a 26-match unbeaten run, inching ever closer to the legendary record set by Djamel Belmadi's Algeria (35 matches).

Since their loss to the Fennecs in September 2023, Sadio Mané and his teammates have strung together a remarkable series of results, notching up 18 wins and 8 draws. Even their elimination at the hands of Ivory Coast in the 2023 AFCON is officially counted as a draw, as penalty shootouts are not included in official records. Now, they need to avoid defeat in just nine more matches to equal the historic feat achieved by Riyad Mahrez and his Algerian teammates.

The challenge, however, is immense. With the 2025 AFCON, the 2026 World Cup, and a friendly against Brazil scheduled for November 15, the margin for error is razor-thin. While Algeria's record—ranked in the global top three alongside those of Brazil and Spain—remains under threat, it could well continue to stand tall in African football history for some time to come.