Sports
Over 30-year-olds Who Can Still Shake Transfer Market
Whenever a player hits the age of 30, he is considered to be headed towards the end of their career, unless it is a goalkeeper.
Outfield players are at a disadvantage when they get to this age because even when negotiating for contracts, they don’t have much power. Their market value declines rapidly and not many clubs are willing to offer them more than a year.
Some of the players who have continued to shape football discussion even after hitting 30+ are the two most consistent players of our times – Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The two made moves in the summer and were the highlight for the better part of the post-transfer period, not to mention, they are deep into their 30s.
However, there are a number of top players who have reached 30 and beyond, but can still rattle the transfer market, were they to make moves. Players who have been in the game for a while, but can still commend transfer fees of upwards of €30m. Here we assess some of them:
Robert Lewandowski: the Bayern Munich man has rightly earned the nickname ‘Goal Machine’. At 33 years old, the Polish international is still doing it as he did in his early 20s. Last season was his best season in domestic action after he scored 41 league goals for Bayern.
In his last 11 seasons, he’s failed to score 20+ in just one season; this season he is already on 20 goals. Lewandowski has nine league titles.
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Kevin De Bruyne: At 30, the Manchester City midfielder is still considered one of the best creative players in the game. He was a Ballon d’Or nominee, deservedly, coming after being named Europe’s second-best player in 2021. He provided 12 assists in the league last season and helped City get to the final of the Champions League last season, he would get injured in the final as Chelsea went on to win. The Belgian international has already won three league titles.
Virgil van Dijk: The most expensive players are not just attackers; Van Dijk is a defender that can fetch a huge transfer fee should a club go for him. He joined Liverpool at the cost of £75m and at 30 years old, Transfer Market values him at €55m. He was named the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year in 2019 and after spending most of last season out, he returned to continue from where he left. A great reader of the game, very composed and tough to dribble past, Van Dijk makes for one of the top players in the world currently.
N’Golo Kante: The French international is one of the best in his position currently. His height doesn’t match most of the top defensive midfielders around but his work rate is extraordinary. At 30 years, Kante has already won the World Cup, Champions League, Europa League and the Premier League titles. He is great on and off the ball and his performance in 2021 saw him named the UEFA Midfielder of the Year in 2021. Despite his advanced age, Kante is valued at €50m.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Senegalese Football Federation has said it would appeal against the decision of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to strip it of the 2025 AFCON trophy at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
It called the decision “an unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable decision which brings discredit to African football”.
CAF on Tuesday night declared Morocco champions, following a walkout staged by the Senegal team, but later returned to defeat Morocco 1-0.
CAF, in a statement yesterday, said “the Senegal national team is declared to have forfeited the match,” a 1-0 victory in the final, “with the result being officially recorded as 3-0” in favour of Morocco.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) said in a statement “its action was never intended to contest the sporting performance of the teams participating in this competition, but solely to request the application of the competition regulations”.
During the final on January 18, with the scoreline 0-0, Congolese referee Jean Jacques Ndala gave a spot-kick in the eighth minute of added time.
Ndala was advised by the video assistant referee (VAR) to consult the pitchside monitor and review defender El Hadji Malick Diouf’s challenge on Diaz.
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw, still incensed by Ndala’s decision a few moments earlier to disallow a Senegal goal from Ismaila Sarr, ushered his team off the field.
The decision follows an appeal by the Moroccan FA, which CAF said is “declared admissible in form” and was upheld.
CAF added that “through the conduct of its team”, Senegal infringed on Article 82 of the regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, and as a result, Article 84 became applicable.
Article 82 states that if a team refuses to play or leaves the ground before the end of regulation time without the referee’s authorisation, it will be considered the loser and eliminated from the competition.
Article 84 complements this provision, stating that any team that violates Article 82 will be permanently eliminated and will lose the match 3-0.
By Dipo Olowookere
Senegal has been stripped of the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy it won on January 18, 2026.
In a statement on Tuesday night, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said the trophy now belongs to Morocco, which hosted the tournament.
Senegal defeated Morocco by a lone goal to clinch the title in extra time after earlier leaving the pitch due to a penalty awarded to the host nation, which was later lost after a restart.
The penalty was awarded in the last minute of the match following a VAR check by Congolese referee, Jean-Jacques Ndala, after Brahim Diaz had been tugged to the ground by Senegal full back, El Hadji Malick Diouf.
The Senegalese team was not happy with the call because they had earlier been denied one against Morocco. The Teranga Lions’ coach, Pape Bouna Thiaw, ordered his players to leave the pitch in protest, but Sadio Mane persuaded them to return after a 14-minute delay, and when the spot kick was taken by Diaz, he played it into the hands of Édouard Mendy.
The game went into extra time, and in the 94th minute, Pape Gueye netted the only goal.
After the tournament, Morocco launched an appeal to void Senegal’s win, but lost as CAF said Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations were not violated.
However, in a twist, the football governing body on the continent made a U-turn, declaring Morocco the 2025 AFCON champions.
It recorded the final match as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), setting aside the earlier decision of the CAF Disciplinary Board.
CAF upheld “the appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF)” and declared it “admissible,” agreeing that “Articles 82 and 84” were breached.
“The CAF Appeal Board further finds that the conduct of the Senegal team falls within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations,” a part of the statement read.
“In application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Senegal team is declared to have forfeited the match, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF),” it further announced.
The UEFA Champions League Round of 16 concludes this week as the second-leg fixtures determine which teams will advance to the quarter-finals. All the key fixtures will be broadcast live on SuperSport across DStv and GOtv.
Tuesday: Rescue Missions and Defensive Masterclasses
Tuesday’s action begins at 6:45 pm as Sporting Lisbon hosts Bodo/Glimt. The Norwegian side produced one of the competition’s standout results with a 3–0 first-leg victory and will aim to protect that advantage in Lisbon, while Sporting must deliver a remarkable comeback to keep their European hopes alive. The match airs on SS Football Plus HD (DStv Ch. 202).
At 9:00 pm, Manchester City face Real Madrid in another high-profile encounter. Madrid holds a commanding 3–0 advantage after an impressive first-leg performance, leaving City with a daunting task at the Etihad Stadium against the most decorated club in the competition. The match will be shown on SS Football Plus HD (DStv Ch. 202).
Also at 9:00 pm, Chelsea welcomes Paris Saint-Germain to Stamford Bridge. PSG arrive with a 5–2 aggregate lead and the attacking quality to threaten on the counter, while Chelsea must produce a near-perfect performance to overturn the deficit. The match airs on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203).
At the same time, Arsenal take on Bayer Leverkusen with the tie finely balanced at 1–1. Both teams impressed in the first leg, and the decisive encounter at the Emirates Stadium promises a tightly contested tactical battle. Watch live on SS La Liga (GOtv Ch. 62, DStv Ch. 204).
Wednesday: Deciders Across Europe
Wednesday’s programme begins at 6:45 pm as Barcelona host Newcastle United with the aggregate score level at 1–1. Newcastle travel to Spain with renewed confidence after recent domestic victories, while Barcelona will rely on their experience and home support to push for qualification. The match airs on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203).
At 9:00 pm, Liverpool welcome Galatasaray to Anfield, trailing 1–0 from the first leg. With the tie still within reach, Liverpool must produce a strong performance at home to overturn the deficit against a Galatasaray side full of belief. The match will be shown on SS Football Plus HD (DStv Ch. 202).
Also at 9:00 pm, Tottenham face Atletico Madrid in North London. Atletico carry a commanding 5–2 advantage after the first leg and will look to rely on their defensive organisation, while Spurs must deliver an attacking display to keep the contest alive. The match airs on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203).
The night concludes in Munich, where Bayern Munich hosts Atalanta with a comfortable 6–1 aggregate lead. Bayern appear firmly in control of the tie, while Atalanta will aim to restore pride after a difficult first leg. Watch live on SS La Liga (GOtv Ch. 62, DStv Ch. 204).
Round of 16 – Second Leg Fixtures
Tuesday, 17 March
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Sporting Lisbon vs Bodo/Glimt — 6:45 pm (SS Football Plus HD)
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Manchester City vs Real Madrid — 9:00 pm (SS Football Plus HD)
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Chelsea vs Paris Saint-Germain — 9:00 pm (SS Premier League)
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Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen — 9:00 pm (SS La Liga)
Wednesday, 18 March
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Barcelona vs Newcastle United — 6:45 pm (SS Premier League)
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Liverpool vs Galatasaray — 9:00 pm (SS Football Plus HD)
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Tottenham Hotspur vs Atletico Madrid — 9:00 pm (SS Premier League)
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Bayern Munich vs Atalanta — 9:00pm (SS La Liga)
Catch Every Game
Catch all the UEFA Champions League action live on SuperSport on DStv and GOtv. Matches are also available to stream via DStv Stream and GOtv Stream. Manage or upgrade your subscription via the MyDStv or MyGOtv apps, visit www.dstv.com or www.gotvafrica.com, or dial *288# to stay connected.
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