Ranchers Bees have finally tasted NPFL victory again, and they did it in style. 🐝🔥
Sixteen years after their last win in Nigeria’s top flight, the Bees produced a statement performance in Katsina, sweeping aside Abia Warriors 4 0 to write a remarkable new chapter in their return to the NPFL.
The victory is their first in the competition since March 2010, bringing an end to a remarkable 6,011 day wait between NPFL victories.
And considering how their return began, the turnaround is even more impressive.
From opening day defeat to four goal statement
Ranchers Bees returned to the NPFL this season after spending years outside the country’s top division.
Their comeback began with disappointment as they suffered a 3 1 defeat to Ikorodu City on the opening day.
But there was a completely different Bees side on display against Abia Warriors.
Playing in front of their home supporters in Katsina, Ranchers Bees attacked with confidence and punished Abia Warriors with ruthless efficiency.
The breakthrough came through Mohammed Rabiu Zulkifilu, who opened the scoring before adding another before half time to give the hosts a commanding advantage.
Zulkifilu wasn’t finished.
He completed his hat trick in the second half, becoming the first player to score three goals in a single NPFL match this season.
Jamilu Yusuf then added a fourth to complete a memorable afternoon for the newly promoted side.
A victory 16 years in the making
The scoreline tells one story.
The history behind it tells another.
Ranchers Bees’ previous NPFL victory came all the way back in March 2010.
Since then, the club had endured relegation, years away from the top flight and a long journey back to where they once belonged.
Now, just one match after suffering defeat on their return, they have their first NPFL victory of the new era.
And they couldn’t have made a louder statement.
The Bees are buzzing again 🐝
For a club returning to the NPFL after such a long absence, this is more than three points.
It is a reminder of what promotion means.
Ranchers Bees have spent years trying to get back to this stage. Now that they are here, they have their first win, and it came with four goals, a clean sheet and a hat trick.
There will be much tougher challenges ahead in the NPFL, but this is exactly the kind of result that can give a newly promoted side belief.
16 years without an NPFL win.
6,011 days of waiting.
Then, suddenly…
Ranchers Bees 4 0 Abia Warriors.
The Bees are back.
And they’re buzzing. 🐝🔥
#NPFL27 #NPFL #RanchersBees #RNBABI #NigerianFootball #SportingTheory
