Uganda face the 189th ranked nation in the 2015 Afcon qualifiers this Sunday well aware that Madagascar have never qualified for the Nations Cup.
The Barea have also failed to enter Nations Cup qualification thrice and have withdrawn from qualification as many times.
But Okwi, whose Uganda themselves last appeared at the Nations Cup in 1978, knows too well football cannot be played on paper.
“All I’ve heard of Madagascar is that they have some good professional players in Europe especially in France,” Okwi told supersport.com.
“I have never played against them, I have never played against one from there. But that is not to say they are a weak side. Of course majority of the people thing but we as players we don’t.
“We need to respect Madagascar. Even the coach has been telling us to always respect our opponent.”
Okwi added: “Personally, I always respect my opponents. Even in our training we are preparing for a tough opponent, and we know Madagascar will be tough, especially that they are at home.”
Source: Supersport
