By Arinzechi Chukwunonso

 

The Head Coach of Ranchers Bees Football Club, Kaduna, has stepped down from his position with immediate effect, citing escalating security threats, inadequate welfare conditions, and persistent managerial interference that he says have made his job untenable.

 

In a resignation letter dated 2nd December 2025 and addressed to the club’s Chairman, Coach Bassey expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve and highlighted the team’s impressive current standing—second on the league table after three matches—as evidence of the work put in since his appointment. Yet, he emphasized that the environment had deteriorated into what he called an “unprofessional and intolerable” situation, endangering both his safety and the club’s promotion prospects.

A significant portion of the letter raised alarm over what the coach described as the management’s “insensitivity to security matters.” He cited repeated directives for the team to travel at night after away fixtures and from their temporary home base in Minna, Niger State—conditions he deemed unsafe and reckless.

 

More troubling, he alleged that his life had been threatened by certain supporters before and after matches, accusing the management of, at times, “instigating supporters to harass the head coach.” He stressed that these threats were no longer something he could dismiss or tolerate.

Bassey also detailed a range of welfare-related grievances. He noted that the lack of a designated camp for players had made monitoring difficult, while the absence of essential equipment—including football boots—had compromised the team’s professional standards.

 

He described the team’s feeding arrangements as “absurd,” stating that players and officials often relied on pre-packaged meals provided by management even while preparing for critical league fixtures. Promised benefits, such as mobility support for the head coach, were never provided, he said.

 

The coach further cited an incident during a league match in Kebbi, where players received ₦10,000 each for feeding while he was given only ₦5,000. He criticized the practice of equating his bonuses with those of players, calling it “unprofessional and unfair.”

Another issue he highlighted was what he described as undue interference by club officials in technical matters. According to Bassey, he lacked full control of the dressing room, with management members frequently entering during team talks and even disrupting substitution plans during matches.

 

He argued that such interruptions hampered strategic execution and negatively affected team morale, making it difficult to maintain a smooth coaching rhythm.

While acknowledging the passion and support of the club’s fans, Bassey concluded that the hostile and chaotic working conditions left him with no choice but to resign.

 

His departure is expected to ignite wide discussion within Kaduna’s football community, particularly given Ranchers Bees’ strong start to the season. As of press time, the club has not released an official statement regarding the resignation.