Super Eagles Star & House of Reps Member Acquires Football Club in Nigeria
- Super Eagles forward Sadiq Umar has made a bold move by securing a football club in Nigeria, becoming the first active player to own a local club
- The Olympic bronze medallist partnered with a current House of Representatives member to seal the move
- Football fans have reacted positively to the acquisition of a local club by the former AS Roma forward
Sadiq Umar is preparing for life after football, as he acquired a local football club in Nigeria.
The former Nigeria U23 spent a significant part of his holiday in the country mingling with his childhood friends and teammates, including Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa.
The 28-year-old, who joined Valencia on loan from Real Sociedad in January 2025, was named La Liga Goal of the Month winner for March.
Source: Instagram
Umar buys football club
Super Eagles star Sadiq Umar, in partnership with a House of Representatives member (Kaduna North), Bello El-Rufai, has officially taken over the leadership of Ranchers Bees.
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According to Punch, Umar revealed that the move aims to revive the old memories of the club for the people of Northern Nigeria.
The former Almería star explained that he grew up watching the team, which has produced numerous stars who have represented Nigeria at various continental and international competitions. Umar said:
"I and my current partner, Honourable Bello El-Rufai have a big dream of returning the club to it's past glory days.
"I grew up watching Ranchers Bees of Kaduna, a club that produced countless players, including Super Eagles legend Daniel Amokachi."
Source: Getty Images
Ranchers Bees target NPFL, name president
Owners of Ranchers Bees have named former AS Roma defender, Nura Abdullahi, as their president.
According to Sports Intel, Ranchers Bees will compete in the 2025/26 Nigeria National League (NNL), with the mandate of qualifying for the Nigeria Premier Football League.
Umar said the former defender has been given full operation and long-term strategy to revive the club. The Super Eagles star said:
"The team is set to compete in the Nigeria National League (NNL) in the upcoming season.
“Our target is to secure promotion to the NPFL. I’m elated by the feedback from Rancher Bees supporters and the people of Kaduna."
Fans react
@Strydizzle said:
"Finally, Ranchers Bees that I grew up knowing will be back 🕺🏿🕺🏿🕺🏿🕺🏿🕺🏿."
@ahmadatmos wrote:
"Beautiful. I want all Nigerian football clubs to be fully privatized. The government should let go and you'll see how quickly things change."
@oil_shaeikh added:
"I’m so happy about this acquisition, hopefully your leadership and passion of Sadık will give Arewa talents wasting away the necessary platform to shine in both the national league, national team and international competitions."
"Allah ya taimaka."
@Abubakar_Mhmmad wrote:
"This is truly a welcome development, we've been yearning for something of this magnitude. Kudos to the both of you and in Ranchers Bees 🐝 we've finally find something to hold onto and be proud of. Go #Ranchers."
Umar gets loud ovation in Kaduna
Legit.ng earlier reported that Super Eagles striker Sadiq Umar is using the holidays to reconnect with his roots and train with his boyhood club Kusa Boys at the Minister's Field in Unguwar Kanawa, Kaduna.
The former Valencia forward featured in a friendly between Barau FC and Kaduna Professionals on Monday, June 16.
Source: Legit.ng
