Exclusive: Hodd Coach, LARS NILSEN Speaks On LATIFU, NONSO LALA

Tipped by many for promotion to the Tippaligaen at the end of the 2012 campaign, Norwegian club Hødd are not having a good season, losing seven of their last eight games in the Championship, including Monday's 2-3 loss to Tromsdalen.

Hodd is a team with huge followership in Nigeria. The Ulsteinvik based side has three Nigerians on its payroll - Canada 2007 Fifa Under 20 World Cup star, Akeem Latifu, ex Enyimba ace Nonso Lala and exciting winger Kazeem Ahmed.

Lars Arne Nilsen, charismatic coach of  IL Hødd, has told allnigeriasoccer.com that the absence of key players could be the reason for the club's poor record in the Adeccoligaen.

''Our  position on the league table can be traced to injuries to some of our key players. We are playing okay, unlucky sometimes. We played at equal strength with the teams we met in the league. Last year, Hødd were good in the league. As the season progresses, we shall try to turn things around,'' Lars Arne Nilsen told allnigeriasoccer.com in a telephone conversation.

The 48-year-old gaffer also shared his thoughts on two key members of his squad, Akeem Latifu and Nonso Lala.

''Akeem has played all the matches, he's a good player. His wife arrived Norway last week. So, he's now very happy and always smiling,'' said Nilsen.

On the 20-year-old former Flying Eagles invitee, Nonso Lala, Lars Arne Nilsen said: '' Nonso has scored 2 goals and contributed to some goals. He's doing okay, but he must get used to the Norwegian style of football.''