MAPUTO (Mozambique) - Breaking barriers is a thing Mozambique forward Odelia Mafanela knows a thing or two about.

One year ago, the 30-year old led Ferroviario de Maputo to their first ever continental crown in front of their home fans and that feeling is one that she and her teammates will never forget. 

If anything, they want to relieve that moment with an even better performance when they lineup to face an even bigger challenge - to try and qualify for their first ever Summer Olympics appearance. 

"THE PERFORMANCE WE HAD IN THE [FIBA WOMEN'S ] AFROBASKET HAS BEEN A MOTIVATING FACTOR FOR US. THE PLAYERS  FEEL THEY CAN GO BEYOND THE FOURTH PLACE THAT WE ACHIEVED IN DAKAR HENCE TRUST HAS TO BE UP BECAUSE IF WE DO NOT HAVE IT WHEN THINGS HAVE GONE WRONG, NOTHING WILL BRING US TOGETHER."- Mafanela

Mozambique for the second straight edition of the prestigious FIBA Women's AfroBasket finished fourth further confirming that they belong at the high table of African basketball. 

That incredible performance has earned them the respect that they deserve as a contender for the two places available to the next round of the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament set for February 2020. 

Mozambique were drawn with back-to-back African champions Nigeria and Democratic Republic of Congo in a tough Group A. 

Speaking exclusively to FIBA.basketball, Mafanela said, "We are aware of the quality Nigeria has. It will not be easy but it is not a seven-headed animal. We shall have to use our strengths to our advantage and our mistakes too so they know that we are not quiet."

"DR Congo has exceptional athletes like the brilliant Pauline Akonga so we will try to play as objectively as possible so there is no room for possible distraction from us."

For Mafanela and her teammates, leading hosts Senegal 35-19 at half time in front of a 15,000 seater sold out stadium in a very tightly contested semifinal back in August at the [FIBA Women's ] AfroBasket, gave them the kind of confidence to approach any game. 

Even though they eventually lost 60-57, Mozambique pushed all the right buttons and when they wear those national colors once again, it will be an opportunity to further improve their ruthlessness. 

"The performance we had in the [FIBA Women's] AfroBasket has been a motivating factor for us. The players feel they can go beyond the fourth place that we achieved in Dakar hence trust has to be up  because if we do not have it , when things have gone wrong, nothing will bring us together." 

"Playing at home is a scene. Our expectation is to bring the public good basketball with the qualification. We want people to enjoy this moment with us because basketball is joy."

Even after producing great talent like Clarisse Machanguana who played at the highest level in the WNBA from 1999-2002 and later for Barcelona, Mozambique has never qualified for the Olympics. 

"Our goal is to qualify for the Olympics. Mine is being able to help the team in what I can for a brilliant performance," Mafanela explained. 

"For Mozambique to qualify for the Olympics would mean a major breakthrough for us. It would be an award I would say deserved. We have been working hard over the last few years although our rating has gone down lately."

The race to the Tokyo Olympics 2020 for African countries starts Thursday, November 14, and finishes four days later.

The two top teams from each group will advance to the Semi-Finals, with the winners of Group A facing the second-placed team in Group B, and Group B winners facing the second-placed side from Group A.

The two winners in the Semi-Finals will automatically book their tickets to the 16-nation WOQT .  

The two African teams will play in the WOQTs with the top three teams from each of the three WOQTs qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.  

FIBA