Akeem Latifu Warns Aktobe To Prepare For Battle

Former Nigeria youth - international Akeem Latifu has warned FK Aktobe to expect a fight when they meet Hodd, cup winners of Norway, in the Europa League on Thursday.

Going into the tie at the Høddvoll Stadion (Ulsteinvik), the Norwegians are the underdogs being their first time playing in Europe.

On the other hand, FK Aktobe have won the Kazakhstan Premier League four times in the last eight seasons.

Hence, the neutrals might call it a classic David and Goliath clash, especially as Hødd have failed to win at home in the league for close to two months.

''Thursday's game will be fought on the pitch and those statistics don't scare us. Football is not mathematics as they say.

'' It is like being pushed to the wall and we are ready to spring surprises.

'' I am sure we can beat Aktobe . Last year, when we won the cup we beat Premier League opposition.

'' We have practiced hard and most of us here are taking the tie as the biggest game in our careers,'' Akeem Latifu, who represented the Under 20 team at the Fifa Under World Cup back in 2007, told allnigeriasoccer.com.

23 - year - old Latifu, widely regarded as one of the best full backs in Norway, has netted 3 goals in 15 matches this season from his defensive position.