Super Eagles forward Sadiq Umar, in partnership with Bello el-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufai, has officially acquired the ownership rights of Ranchers Bees Football Club, a once-renowned football powerhouse in northern Nigeria.
The acquisition was confirmed in a statement on Monday, marking a new chapter for the historic club. Founded in the 1970s, Ranchers Bees FC enjoyed decades of success, most notably reaching the final of the 1988 CAF Cup Winners’ Cup, where they narrowly lost to Tunisia’s CA Bizertin. However, in recent years, the club has struggled, competing in the lower tiers of Nigerian football.
Speaking on the development, Umar expressed his ambition to revive the club’s past glory and secure promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
“Growing up, I watched Ranchers Bees of Kaduna, a club that produced countless talented players. It’s a thing of pride and joy for us to be the bona fide owners of the club,” Umar said.
“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.”
Bello el-Rufai, who represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, joins Umar in the venture, with both men pledging to restore the club’s competitive edge and reestablish it as a dominant force in Nigerian football.
The duo’s vision is not only to return Ranchers Bees to the top flight but also to reignite local passion for the sport and create new opportunities for football talent in Kaduna and beyond.
