Super Eagles striker Sadiq Umar and Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives representing Kaduna North, have officially taken ownership of Ranchers Bees FC, a once-renowned football club based in Kaduna. The acquisition was confirmed on Monday.
The pair have pledged to restore the club’s former stature and are aiming for a swift promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
Founded in the 1970s, Ranchers Bees FC was a dominant force in northern Nigerian football, famously reaching the final of the 1988 CAF Cup Winners’ Cup and winning the WAFU Cup the following year in 1989. In recent times, however, the club has faced financial and administrative difficulties, struggling in the Nigerian National League (NNL).
Umar, who currently plays for Spanish side Real Sociedad, spoke passionately about the motivation behind the takeover. “Growing up, I watched Ranchers Bees of Kaduna, a club that produced countless players. It’s a thing of pride and joy for us to be the bona fide owners of the club,” he said.
He further noted that he and his co-owner, the son of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, are focused on bringing the team back to its glory days. “We want to return the club to its old glory days and restore it to the Premier League,” Umar added.
The forward also expressed gratitude for the support they’ve received so far: “I’m elated by the feedback from Ranchers Bees supporters and the people of Kaduna. We will bring back the old memories of the club and return the fans to the stadium.”
