AFCON 2025
Super Eagles’ striker Sadiq Umar and Mohammed Bello El-Rufai have acquired former Nigeria Premier Football League side, Ranchers Bees.
Ranchers Bees announced the acquisition in a statement via its official X page on Monday, August 11, 2025.
The statement reads:
The management of Ranchers Bees Football Club, Kaduna is pleased to announce that the club has been officially acquired by Sadiq Umar and Mohammed Bello El-Rufai.
Following this acquisition, Mr. Nura Abdullahi is the President of Ranchers Bees FC and will oversee the club’s operations and strategic direction.
Furthermore, the Chairman of Kaduna State , Mr. Faisal Abdullahi tozo, has assured the new management of his full support to ensure the smooth running and sustainable growth of the club.
The new leadership remains committed to fostering excellence, nurturing talent, and bringing pride to the people of Kaduna State through football.
The purchase of the Kaduna-based club comes after they announced their return to the Nigeria National League after years of inactivity.
Ranchers Bees got promoted to the Premier League in the 2009/2010 season after they finished second in the Nigeria National League with 51 points.
Unfortunately, they didn’t survive relegation as they returned to the lower League with two matches left after a humiliating 6-0 loss to Kwara United.
The new ownership will look to get the club back to the summit of Nigeria’s football in as soon as possible.
Mohammed Bello El-Rufai is the son of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. Bello El-Rufai is also a member of the Federal House of Representatives.
