Ranchers Bees Back to NPFL 16 Years After Relegation
Ranchers Bees FC of Kaduna has gained promotion to the Nigerian Premier Football League 16 years after the club was relegated.
The club, now owned by Nigerian international Sadiq Umar and Bello El-Rufai, a member of the House of Representatives, climbed its way to the nation’s top flight football after finishing top of Conference D in the Nigeria National League (NNL).
They earned 20 points from 11 matches, with a 2-0 victory over Kebbi United helping them seal the top spot.
This marks their return to the top flight for the first time in 18 years, with their last appearance being in the 2009-10 season.
El-Rufai said the promotion symbolises “rebirth of a legacy, the reward for belief and the beginning of a new chapter”.
He hailed the team’s President, Nura Mohammed and his team, as well as the Chairman of Kaduna State Football Association, Faisal Abdullahi Tozo for this great feat.
“But most of the credit must go to our majority owner, a gentleman, a compassionate leader, an marvellous football player and a patriotic Nigerian, Sadiq Umar Jololo of Valencia C.F.”
El-Rufai promised to reward the entire team soon.
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