TUNIS (AfroBasket 2015/2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament) - If Amine Rzig had had his way back in 2012, he would have called it quits as a national team player of Tunisia.

In fact, he did.

But when a player of his stature and experience is still physically fit and has all the talent in the world, as well as leadership to offer, it's not that easy to go.

"After the Olympics in 2012, I decided to stop, but the coach [Adel Tlatli] and those responsible called me and said I needed to be in the national team," he said to FIBA.com.

"They said, 'It's your job and Tunisia needs you.'

"So I couldn't say no.

"It was my job, my country and I want to do it well. I hope I have."

Rzig did remain involved and looking at the results, one can only say that Tunisia have benefitted from his presence.

This summer, the country reached the podium at an AfroBasket.

On 30 August, Tunisia defeated Senegal 82-73 in the Third-Place Game in Rades.

Now, Rzig and his teammates will attempt to keep the momentum going with a second straight Olympic appearance.

They will compete in one of the three FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTs), with the three winners of those events advancing to Brazil.

Heading into this summer, Tunisia had wanted to duplicate their feat of 2011 when they won the AfroBasket title in Madagascar but third place in front of the home fans was not a bad way to sign off from the tournament.

"We think finishing the tournament with a medal was good for us," Rzig said.

"It was good for me, personally.

"I hope this is good luck for us next year.

"I hope to be in Rio in 2016.

I played in 2012 in London and it was the greatest moment in my career. - Rzig

"Now I hope to do what I must do."

The way that Tunisia finished was very impressive.

Not only did they beat Senegal, but did so without the services of enter Salah Mejri, the AfroBasket 2011 MVP.

It brings back good memories for Rzig when he remembers that night.

"Salah was out because of injury but all of the other guys played more than 100 percent and fought, and spent all of their energy just to win," he said.

Rzig, with his own words of encouragement, was crucial in the tournament and especially after the Semi-Final defeat to Angola.

The 1.98m shooting guard who can also play some small forward is 35.

His first AfroBasket was in 2007, and in 2009 when he Tunisia finished third, he was the brightest of stars, averaging almost 17 points per game.

He played a lot in 2011 and 2013 and though his playing time was reduced to just under 13 minutes per game this summer, he was still very important to the cause.

Rzig will be important next year, too.

"I'm still the captain," he said.

"I try to help my teammates on and off the court.

"I try to do what I have to do."

FIBA