By Our Reporter in Benin City
BENDEL INSURANCE have sent a terrifying message to the rest of the NPFL after a ruthless 4-0 demolition of title-chasers Ikorodu City at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
In a performance dripping with “Benin Arsenal” swagger, the home side didn’t just win—they dismantled a stunned Ikorodu side that had started the day dreaming of the top spot. Instead, they left the pitch having been taught a footballing lesson by the night’s undisputed protagonist: Alex Oweilayefa.
OWEI-LAY-OFF!
The game was over as a contest before many fans had even settled into their seats. Oweilayefa opened the floodgates in the 15th minute, ghosting into the box to finish with the clinical precision of a seasoned predator.
If Ikorodu thought that was a fluke, they were sadly mistaken. Before they could catch their breath, Wisdom Udom doubled the advantage in the 24th minute, turning the visitors’ defense inside out before firing home.
Just three minutes later, it was the Oweilayefa show again. The forward latched onto a loose ball in the 27th minute to make it 3-0, effectively ending the match as a contest before the halftime oranges were even sliced.
The second half was a professional masterclass in game management from Kennedy Boboye’s men, but there was still time for a final flourish.
In the 59th minute, Oweilayefa completed his treble, sending the Benin crowd into absolute raptures and securing the match ball.
For Ikorodu City, it was a “Day of Horror” that saw them slip from their lofty perch near the summit. For Insurance, this was the “Premium” performance they’ve been searching for all season.
BENDEL INSURANCE (4): Oweilayefa 15, 27, 59; Udom 24.
IKORODU CITY (0)
A total eclipse of the City. Oweilayefa was unplayable, and Insurance looked like a team ready to gatecrash the top six.