Super Eagles striker Sadiq Umar and Hon. Bello El-Rufai, son of the immediate past governor of Kaduna State and member of the House of Representatives representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency, have acquired ownership of Rancher Bees FC, Kaduna.
The iconic club, which will feature in the Nigeria National League (NNL) next season, has a sacrosanct place in Nigerian football history, having produced many internationals and built a strong football culture in Kaduna.
Reacting to the takeover, Umar said he is determined to take the club back to its glory days.
“My colleague, Honourable Bello, and I want to return the club to its former glory. I was watching Rancher Bees of Kaduna when I was growing up, and the club produced many players. It is a source of pride and joy for us to own the club legitimately,” he said.
The duo’s revival plan is to have both an NNL professional team and an academy team, with the long-term goal of promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
“Our objective is to get promoted to the NPFL. I am overjoyed with the reaction of Rancher Bees fans and Kaduna people. We will bring back good memories of the club and return fans to the stadium,” Umar added.
With a loyal fan base and new management, Rancher Bees FC is poised for another episode in its illustrious history.
