Inter Lagos interim head coach Olusanjo Olutayo says his players must address fundamental weaknesses in their performances if the newly promoted club are to avoid relegation from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

The warning comes before Inter Lagos’ fixture against Kun Khalifat, with the side enduring a difficult return to the top flight. They are currently bottom of the league table after taking just one victory from their opening nine matches.

Olutayo said the team’s problems were not simply a matter of creating more opportunities, but of making sure those chances were converted and that key aspects of their play were working effectively.

“We don’t need to have 15 chances with zero goals. That’s relegation form,” he told the club’s media.

“Core details are missing, and that has to change,” he added.

The interim coach’s comments highlight the pressure on Inter Lagos to quickly improve their results. Their poor start has left them facing an immediate fight to move away from the relegation zone, with the meeting with Kun Khalifat providing another opportunity to begin changing their fortunes.

Inter Lagos’ lack of victories has been compounded by their failure to turn attacking opportunities into goals, an issue Olutayo identified as one of the details that must be corrected. With the season progressing, the club must now find greater efficiency and consistency if they are to climb the table.

The match against Kun Khalifat comes at a crucial point for the newly promoted side, who remain bottom after nine league games and have won only once.