The English Premier League – arguably the world’s most exciting and entertaining – which have spiralled rapidly in the last decade. This trend is that of millionaire owners’ investing/buying out clubs out rightly. Thus, almost always creating a situation where one man calls the shot. As the most recent Premier league club take-over wraps up, Fulham FC will now be owned by Pakistani-born American tycoon Shahid Khan for £150 million ($227 million). According to Mr Khan, “I do not view myself so much as the owner of Fulham but a custodian of the club on behalf of its fans.” And like most trends that began in western climes, Africa has caught the millionaire club owner bug. The continent’s high net worth businessmen have also taken to the game of football as a profitable venture. Felele247.com, takes a look at the top African millionaire club owners, with the new entrance of Nigeria’s Oil magnate Dr Ifeanyi Ubah of FC Ifeanyi Ubah in no respective order.
Patrice Motsepe, South Africa. Memalodi Sundowns FC
Mining magnate, Patrice Motsepe, acquired South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) club, Mamelodi Sundowns F.C. in 2003. Motsepe is the founder and executive chairman of African Rainbow Minerals, a company with interests in platinum and gold. Motsepe’s net worth is estimated at $2.9 billion and he ranks amongst the richest men in South Africa. A peculiar philanthropist, he sits on the board of several companies. Early this year, Motsepe donated half of his wealth to charity through the Motsepe Family Foundation.
Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Nigeria
FC Ifeanyi Ubah came into being from the acquisition of Gabros international Football Club by Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah. The Club was formerly known as IYAYI football club of Benin City before its acquisition by Chief Gabriel Chukwuma and renamed Gabros International Football Club. FC Ifeanyi Ubah has its headquarters at 21 Nnobi Road, Nnewi Anambra state. On the 6th of November 2016, FC IFEANYI UBAH defeated Nasarawa United FC on penalties to clinch a historic Federation Cup at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos. Since the creation of Anambra State, no football club from the State has ever won the trophy.
Assem Allam. Hull City FC, England
Egyptian-born businessman, Assem Allam is the only owner of a European club on this list. Allam took control of Hull City FC in 2010, shortly after the club’s relegation from the Premier league, which, predictably, had devastating effects on the clubs finances. A manufacturing magnate, Allam and son Ehab have pumped £36 million ($54 million) into The Tigers, as Hull City FC is known, to prevent the club from going into administration. His investment has reaped bountiful results as Hull sealed a return to the top flight, and thus guaranteed a financial windfall of £150 million ($227 million). Assem Allam is valued at an estimated £650 million ($982 million).
Kaizer Motuang Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa
Kaizer Chiefs was originally founded by Kaizer Motaung in 1970, but following a sale of 40 percent stake to media giants Primedia in 2004 for about R40 million ($4 million), he lost total control of the club. Not one to give up, Motaung recouped the 40 percent share he sold to Primedia in 2010, with the deal reportedly worth more than R70 million ($7 million). The club has been transformed to one of biggest football brands in South Africa, and Kaizer Motaung has become a personal ambassador for Kaizer Chiefs’ approach both inside and outside the organisation.
Moise Katumbi Chapwe. TP Mazembe, Congo DR
Moïse Katumbi Chapwe, a Congolese businessman and politician, owns the famous Tout Puissant Mazembe, formerly known as Englebert, a football club based in Lubumbashi. TP Mazembe is the perennial champions of the Congolese league, and have also been winners of the CAF Champions League on several occasions. Katumbi has invested heavily in the team and been credited by the media and public as one of the reasons for the club’s success. Under his tenure, the team has recruited players from Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Ghana, and Zambia, and retained local players by paying the highest wages for players in Africa.Katumbi invested $35 million in building the team a stadium which was completed in 2011. Chapwe served as governor of the Katanga Province after emerging the first elected governor of the province. His net worth is estimated at $60 million.
Moise Katumbi Chapwe. TP Mazembe, Congo DR
Irvin Khoza began his long-term affiliation with Orlando Pirates FC when he became the secretary in 1980 and then went on to become the owner in 1991. Khoza was instrumental in helping South Africa secure hosting rights for the 2010 World Cup and also served as Chairman of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee. Irvin Khoza is valued at more than $10 million.
By Taye Hassan Adigun – Abuja
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