There are moments in a season that feel bigger than three points and redefine a player’s narrative. For Alex Oweilayefa, this was one of them, and that moment arrived in emphatic fashion as Bendel Insurance dismantled Ikorodu City 4–0.

It was not just a victory; it was a statement. And at the centre of it stood a young midfielder announcing himself to the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) in unforgettable style,  Footballrover reports.

Alex Oweilayefa’s NPFL milestone signals real growth

Bendel Insurance Central Midfielder Alex Oweilayefa delivered a sensational performance, scoring his first-ever NPFL hat-trick in a dominant victory over Ikorodu City.

The young forward opened the scoring for the home side in the 15th minute, doubled the lead in the 27th minute to complete a first-half brace, and confidently sealed his hat-trick in the 59th minute — a clinical display of finishing and attacking brilliance.

It was more than goals. It was timing, movement and authority inside the box.

For a young midfielder still learning the physical and tactical demands of Nigerian top-flight football, that is not a purple patch – it is evidence of adaptation.

Oweilayefa showed great movement, energy, and sharp quality inside the opponent’s box, proving once again why he is one of the rising stars to watch in the league.

In his first-ever debut in the NPFL season, the striker has now recorded 7 goals in 12 matches, an impressive return for the young midfielder making strong waves in Nigerian top-flight football.

Oweilayefa’s journey comes full circle

This milestone did not arrive overnight. Oweilayefa’s scoring spree started when he scored the equaliser in a 1-1 home draw against Shooting Stars back on August 30th.

He then went on to score in his second consecutive game, delivering the opening goal in a 1-1 away draw vs Barau FC on 7th September 2025.

It took him seven games to finally hit his third goal of the campaign as he once again delivered the opening goal in their 1-1 home draw vs Warri Wolves on November 1, 2025.

Then came the difficult stretch — a 15-game drought spanning roughly three months. For many young players, that run can shape a season negatively.

Instead, he responded.

The breakthrough came against Enyimba, breaking the curse in a 2–0 home win, where he once again struck first. That goal vs the People’s Elephant felt like a reset.

What followed on the 1st of March was a reminder of why patience often rewards talent. The hat-trick against Ikorodu City now feels like confirmation.

Oweilayefa delivered a stunning hat-trick in 44 minutes to fire his team to their biggest win of the season at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

The last time Bendel Insurance recorded such an emphatic margin was back on March 17, 2024, against Doma United.

It is no coincidence that it arrived when their leading top scorer rediscovered rhythm.

With his goals, the Benin Arsenal are flying as they sit 6th on the table with 41 points, having won 10 games this season from 28, lost just seven and drawn 11.

That position reflects balance, but it also hints at untapped potential as their attack is finding rhythm, and belief is quietly building in Benin City.

If Alex Oweilayefa sustains this level, Bendel Insurance’s ceiling shifts.

The timing is intriguing, and the spotlight shifts to Port Harcourt. A South-South derby trip to Rivers United awaits at the Garden City.

Will Oweilayefa keep counting goals? Is he just getting started?

That fixture will test whether this historic NPFL milestone was a moment — or the beginning of something even greater.

For now, the numbers speak clearly. Seven goals. One historic milestone. And a young central midfielder who looks like he is only getting started.

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Last Updated on March 3, 2026 7:00 am by footballrover