Patrick Bassey Targets NPFL Promotion As Ranchers Bees Begin New Era

Patrick Bassey Targets NPFL Promotion As Ranchers Bees Begin New Era

By Arinzechi Chukwunonso

 Ranchers Bees Football Club have officially unveiled Coach Patrick Bassey as their new head coach ahead of the 2025/2026 Nigeria National League (NNL) season, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The unveiling ceremony, held on Monday in Kaduna, attracted top football dignitaries and media representatives. Among those in attendance were Club President, Nura Bulala, and Kaduna State Football Association Chairman, Faisal Abdullahi, both of whom expressed confidence that Bassey’s appointment signals a new chapter of progress for the club.

In his first address as head coach, Bassey thanked the club’s owner, Super Eagles striker Sadiq Umar, for entrusting him with the role and pledged to meet the club’s key objective securing promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

 “They’ve given us a target to promote the team to the NPFL. That’s what we’re working towards,” Bassey said. “We want to bring joy back to Kaduna and to the fans of Ranchers Bees, to show that this club has come to stay and will bring glory once again.”

A seasoned tactician with years of experience in both top-flight and grassroots football, Bassey is widely respected for his technical discipline and player development record. His appointment is viewed as a strong statement of intent by Ranchers Bees, who are eager to reclaim their place among Nigeria’s elite football clubs.

Also unveiled at the ceremony was goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel, a former national team shot-stopper, who promised to use his experience to guide the team’s younger players and strengthen their promotion bid. “With the vast experience I’ve gathered over the years, it’s a wonderful opportunity to impact the young players and help the team achieve our goal of promotion,” Daniel stated.

Ranchers Bees will compete in Conference D of the upcoming NNL season, where they will face formidable opponents including Gombe United, Yobe Desert Stars, and Kebbi United.

With Bassey at the helm and new reinforcements joining the squad, optimism is high in Kaduna that the once-iconic Ranchers Bees can mount a serious challenge for NPFL promotion and restore the pride of one of Nigeria’s most storied football institutions.