Ranchers Bees was northerners ‘national team’- Kabir Mohammed

How did you get into the game of football? I started right from my childhood, which is from my days in the primary school. In my secondary school, I developed more interest in football. Fortunately for me, there was then a club here in Kaduna called Capital Motors FC. It was an amateur club and […]

How did you get into the game of football?

I started right from my childhood, which is from my days in the primary school. In my secondary school, I developed more interest in football. Fortunately for me, there was then a club here in Kaduna called Capital Motors FC. It was an amateur club and we played in the state league known as KAFA League. That was between 1977 to 1982. Most of us that played in the club were students. So sometimes when they had a league match, they would go to our various schools and bring us down to play and then go back. We used to get some allowances on monthly basis. We were paid thirty naira but that money was big. Whenever the allowances were taken to us in school, we spent it for a long time. It was big money then.

When and how did you join Ranchers Bees?

After my secondary school, DIC Bees developed interest in some of us because they had followed our performance. In fact it was not my own decision then but I just had to accept DIC because even as other clubs like Leadway Assurance and UNTL FC were interested in some of us, DIC was the darling team of Kaduna people. I, therefore joined DIC Bees in 1982 after my secondary school. DIC later transformed into Ranchers Bees because DIC was a federal government institution and when they decided to sell the club, Alhaji Kabiru Umar, one time board member of NFA told his younger brother, Alhaji Aruwa, then a business tycoon in America to come and buy DIC. He eventually bought the club and it was named Ranchers Bees.

How many years did you play for Ranchers?

I Played for Ranchers Bees between 1985 to 1991. After 1991, I moved to Julius Berger Lagos because they were to play the champions league. They invited four of us. Myself, Ayo Ogunlana, Oliver makoh who is a Liberian and Tajudeen Olaiya. I later played in Lebanon for two seasons. But I decided to come back home. Although they wanted me to go back, I refused. Most of us just enjoyed playing football. It was not so much about money.

Were you able to win any trophies with Ranchers Bees?

Yes I did and that was in 1989. In 1987, we played the challenge Cup finals against Abiola Babes. Even though we lost, Abiola Babes was disbanded and we were to represent Nigeria in the Africa Cup winners Cup now called the Confederation Cup. We played up to the finals but lost to a Tunisian club 1-0 in Tunis. In 1989, we qualified to play WAFU Cup, fortunately for us, I was the captain then, we were able to win the Cup. We beat ASEC Mimosa of Coted’voire and returned with the Cup to Nigeria.

Would you say winning the WAFU Cup was the most memorable moment for Ranchers Bees?

Yes, I will say so because it was the only trophy were able to win. We played the previous finals and got the silver and the highest was the trophy we won in 1989. So for me and my team mates, it was the highest. It was a special moment.

What was it like paying for Ranchers Bees in those days?

It’s hard to explain but when we were playing for Ranchers, it was like representing the entire northern Nigeria. Ranchers Bees was the national team of the north. The club was one of the strongest in the north and by extension Nigeria. The atmosphere then was always electrifying. We were very comfortable playing for Ranch Bees because even though it would be said that there was no money in football, our salaries, bonuses, and all other allowances were paid as and when due.

How was it like playing under Argentine coach Alex Dominquez?

Playing under the Argentine was fun. If you were good you were given opportunity to achieve a lot. We learnt a lot from him and we were able to achieve so much. The Argentine was a crafty coach. The moment he saw a team, he would read the team between ten to fifteen minutes and then tell either me or all the players what to do. If we did, within a short time, we got what we wanted. So we were able to achieve results. To be honest, he is one of the best foreign coaches that have worked in Nigeria. I have seen some but there is none like him.

How serious was competition for shirts in a star studded team like Ranchers Bees?

It was highly competitive. Nobody wanted to drop from the first 16. Then it used to be 16 not 18 as it is now.  Everyone prayed and played hard to avoid any slip because if you allowed anybody to take your place in the team it would take a long time to reclaim it. The substitutes were most times better than those who started our matches.

Could you in few words describe the fans of Ranchers Bees?

This is a very good question. You know at that time, when you were watching football, you knew that your team wherever it goes, or plays, it would give you the result. So everybody was rest assured. There was rest of mind to follow and support the team at all times. I could remember in the 1987 challenge cup final against Abiola Babes, almost 20 luxury buses filled with fans travelled to Lagos because the fans knew we would not disappoint them. They knew they would not see anything that would hurt them. In the end, they were not disappointed because we gave a good account of ourselves. Now if you compare that with what is happening presently, fans don’t even want to come to the stadiums because even when they go there they would not see the kind of football they want from the players. In our days, we had dedicated players who entertained the fans. Nowadays, players compel their coaches to do the playing for them from the bench. This is because they lack the basic skills and techniques.

What would you say is wrong with the present generation of players?

The commitment is not there. And now you find out that clubs are spending millions upon millions on players which if it were before, it would have been a different thing. The football we played in our days is what European clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Manchester United are playing. In my candid opinion, it will be hard for the present generation to achieve results because they are not professional in their ways. During our time, were careful with even our private lives. We knew what to do and what to avoid at all times. Even if you drink, you hide and create special time for that. But now you see players drinking and womanizing openly. They don’t behave like professionals. It’s affecting them negatively.

Any advice for such wayward players?

The advice I will give to Nigerian players is to concentrate on their professional career. Now it is a professional league sort of and they have to work harder to meet with the challenges. I believe with more dedication and determination, maybe they will excel.

Did you gain materially playing for Ranchers Bees?

Yeah materially and socially, it impacted positively on me. It was when I played for Ranchers that I got what we could not get in DIC. We got car loan and got sufficient money which made one to acquire a house of his own. We were able to achieve something. But you can not compare that with what footballers get now.

There is so much money in football now. Do you regret playing football at the time you did?

You see the only thing is that everybody has his own time. Our time has come and gone and now it is the time for some other people. I have no regret whatsoever; my time has come and gone. The only regret is that players of nowadays are not as talented as we were but they are making millions. But I don’t regret because I am contended with what we got at that time. Most of us saw no reason playing abroad because then naira was even stronger than the dollar. The little we got was enough to sustain us.

Did you play for any of the national teams?

I played for Flying Eagles in 1984 but I had problem with coach Paul Hamilton. Late coach Chris Udemezue was the one who invited us to camp but before we started the camping proper, he was taken to the Green Eagles. So Hamilton was made the chief coach and Tunde Disu became his assistant. It was as if Hamilton did not want to see my face and when I noticed that I pulled out. Disu insisted that I should stay but I packed my bag and left without his knowledge.

Former international Garba Lawal has said football players from the north lack patience and discipline and you have just confirmed it? Why didn’t you stay to fight for a place in the team?

I was a regular in the team and Disu a detribalized man wanted me to stay but Hamilton was tribalistic. Hamilton was having problems with Christopher as his first assistant so he easily transferred hatred unto some of us. He was out to drop all Christopher boys and when I realized it, I decided not to waste my time. I felt he was the head and even if his assistant wanted me to stay, he would frustrate me because he was the head.

For now it seems Sani Kaita is out of the present Super Eagles and Ahmed Musa is the only northerner in the team. As a former player why do you think it is difficult for northerner to play in Eagles?

We have the talents in the north but most times players are not selected on merit. Most times national team coaches don’t comb the nooks and crannies of the country for talented players. Kaita is a good player and he played well for the team and I see no reason why a single mistake should be enough reason for him to be discarded. It is very bad. There are many other players who made even more serious mistakes but they were pardoned. Why can’t Sani Kaita be given another chance? Some held the entire nation to ransom but they are still in the team. I want the coaches to focus on players up here. Selection should not be on sentiments. You cannot get the best when you select players on sentiments. Coaches like late Christopher Udemueze were detribalized. He went round the country for players.

What is your best sporting moment as a football player?

My most memorable moment was when I played for DIC. In 1984, we had a bad season and we were named draw specialists. We could not win our matches. Everywhere we played, it was draw. Home and away it was the same. However, I remember when we played Bendel Insurance of Benin here in Kaduna, we won 1-0 and I was the one who scored the only goal. It was a fantastic feeling. I was happy because it was the only win we had in the season.

How did you score the goal?

It was a pull out and a goal mouth scramble ensued but when the ball came out of the goal area, I slammed a shot which beat the goalkeeper Ismaila Kukula.

Was it the best in your career?

It was one of the best. I scored many goals but I think there was this goal I scored in Lebanon. I always consider that goal as my best ever. In that particular match, I played in the right full back, not the midfield. When I went on over lapping, a cross came from the left frank above everybody and as I was coming outside the 18, I did not allow the ball to drop, I did a straight volley and it landed into the net.

Can you recall the worst moment of your football career?

The worst moment of my career came in the Challenge Cup match against Rangers in Ilorin. Not that I did badly but due to an ankle injury, I was unable to continue in the match. It was a huge disappointment because I was determined to do something for my club. I wanted to prove a point in that particular match but I was forced out in the first 15 minutes. Anytime I remember that moment, I feel sad.

You played in the mid-field. Can you remember who your most difficult opponent was?

One of them is Friday Ekpo who played for Leventis and later Abiola Babes. It was as if he studied the way I played. Most times he anticipated me and got me so easily. Apart from him, there was no other mid-field player who gave me tough time.

What are you doing for a living now that you have retired from active football?

I am presently an assistant coach with Kaduna United. I got married in 1987 and I have four children. I have three girls and a boy. If in future my son wants to play football and I discover that he has the talent, I will gladly allow him.