Recent success has Madu confident ahead of Nigeria's battle for Rio 2016 ticket

ABUJA (2016 FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament) - In recent months, the podium has become such a familiar place to Nigeria forward Ndidi Madu that she could be forgiven for envisioning more success is to come next month when her country competes for one of the five Olympic tickets on offer at the 2016 FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament (WOQT).

Madu led Nigeria in rebounding with 9.5 boards at AfroBasket Women 2015

A 1.88m power forward, Madu has travelled the world in the hunt for success. The former University of Florida standout has had some bright moments in her career, but her journey won't be complete until Nigeria travel to Nantes, France where the Western African country will seek a first Olympic appearance since 2004.

A regular member of her national team, Madu ignited Nigeria to a third-place finish at last October's AfroBasket Women. As a result, they secured one of the two places on offer for African teams for the 12-team WOQT taking place from 13-19 June.

In December, Madu was one of the star players of Mozambique side Ferroviario de Maputo, who claimed a third-place finish at the African Champions Cup for Women (ACCW) 2015.

The American-Nigerian remains so eager to succeed on the international stage that when the phone rang for another overseas adventure, she didn't need much time to think it over. Madu joined Montenegrin side ZKK Buducnost Podgorica and helped them win the Women's Adriatic League (WABA) 2016 title three days before her 27th birthday.

With all of that experience under her belt, Madu looks forward to Nigeria's Olympic odyssey which will begin with them facing Belarus and Korea in Group C at the WOQT.

Although Nigeria is the lowest ranked team in the event - 42nd in the FIBA World Ranking Women - Madu feels it gives them extra motivation.

She admitted that Belarus and Korea are both very good teams but added: "I really don't think rankings matters."

What matters is which team goes into each game ready to fight to make sure their country is one of the five teams to leave France with an Olympic ticket to Rio. - Madu

If Nigeria can win at least one game in the Group Phase and a Quarter-Final or can finish fifth, Madu will complete a successful year with a trip to Rio.

"Nigeria has a great chance of taking one of the last five tickets to Rio for the 2016 Olympics," she noted.

In preparation for the WOQT, Nigeria will play a couple of warm-up games against Turkey and Argentina.

FIBA