Super Eagles striker Sadiq Umar and Bello El-Rufai, member of the House of Representatives for Kaduna North, have jointly acquired Ranchers Bees FC, a historic Kaduna football club.
The acquisition was confirmed in a statement on Monday.
Ranchers Bees FC, founded in the 1970s, was once a dominant force in northern Nigerian football.
However, in recent years, Ranchers Bees have struggled in the lower tiers of Nigerian domestic football.
Umar, whose partner is the son of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, said their mission is to rebuild the club’s legacy.
“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,” Umar said.
“I’m elated by the feedback from supporters and the people of Kaduna. We will bring back the old memories of the club and return the fans to the stadium.”
Both owners have pledged to invest in the team’s development, aiming for promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) in the shortest possible time.
