Super Eagles striker Sadiq Umar and Bello El-Rufai, member of the House of Representatives for Kaduna North, have officially acquired Ranchers Bees FC, one of Kaduna’s most storied football clubs.
The new owners announced on Monday their commitment to restoring the club’s glory days and securing promotion to the Nigeria Premier League in the near future.
Founded in the 1970s, Ranchers Bees once dominated football in northern Nigeria, reaching the 1988 CAF Cup Winners’ Cup final and winning the 1989 WAFU Cup. In recent years, however, the team has struggled in the Nigeria National League, hampered by financial and administrative setbacks.
Speaking on the acquisition, Umar said he and Bello El-Rufai — son of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai — share a vision of reviving the club’s rich history.
“Growing up, I watched Ranchers Bees of Kaduna, a club that produced countless players,” Umar said. “It’s a thing of pride and joy for us to now be the bona fide owners. We want to return the club to its old glory days and bring the fans back to the stadium.”
Umar also expressed gratitude for the warm reception from supporters, promising that their leadership will rekindle the excitement that once surrounded Ranchers Bees matches.