DALLAS (2016 Rio Olympics) - Four years ago, Nigeria fell short of meeting their expectations by winning just one of five games at the London Olympics. Team captain Ike Diogu has warned that things will be different in Rio in August.

At the 2016 Summer Games, the Africa champions will look to become the first team from the continent to win at least two games in the Olympic Basketball Tournament in more than 20 years.

In 2012, the Nigerians (1-4) beat then African champions Tunisia (0-5) for their only win of the competition and fell short of matching or bettering Angola's 2-5 mark achieved at the 1992 Barcelona Games.

Nigeria beat Tunisia in their London 2012 opener for their only win of the tournament

Nigeria have been drawn in Group B of the men's event at Rio 2016 along with Argentina, Spain, Brazil, Lithuania and will be joined by one of the winners of the three FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTs).

It will be the Western Africans' second consecutive Olympic appearance and Diogu insisted things will be a lot better for the D'Tigers in Brazil.

"It's going to be our second Olympics together. We know what to expect, how to prepare the right way," he said to FIBA.com. "It's a good feeling. Those are all top ranked national teams. It's something that everybody is excited for. We are excited to see how far we've come since 2012."

Although Nigeria will face Spain and hosts Brazil for the first time-ever at the Olympics, they already have a history with Argentina and Lithuania. They are 1-1 against Lithuania in their clashes at the 2012 OQT and ensuing Olympics campaign. They lost to the South Americans in the Group Phase of the London Games.

"We have improved since 2012, they've improved since 2012. I think it's going be really good match-ups," Diogu said. "We are better as team now. We are a better prepared team than we were in 2012. I feel like we have the best coaching staff out there, and our attention to detail is a lot better."

It’s definitely going to be tough to go far, but I have full confidence in our team. All I can say is that Nigeria will have a better showing than in 2012. We are much more prepared, much more focused. That’s what people can expect from Nigeria. - Diogu

Since 2012, Nigeria have emerged as the main threat to 11-time African champions Angola, whom they defeated in the Final of AfroBasket 2015 to qualify directly for Rio.

The 32-year-old big man - who missed Africa's flagship event after suffering a leg injury during the team's training camp - is "eager to get back out there with my teammates and have a successful Olympics."

Ike Diogu missed AfroBasket 2015 through injury but cheered Nigeria on in their title run from the bench

Asked to explain what makes him confident about Nigeria's chances in Rio, he recalled the team's transformation in recent years.

"One thing about us , since we have all joined together as a team, all we do is make history. Ever since the qualifiers [OQT 2012] for the Olympics," Diogu pointed out.

I feel like we can match up against any team in the world. And as long as we play our style of basketball we have a shot to win. I expect us to be one of the surprise teams at the Olympics this year. - Diogu

Diogu is currently in Dallas and "working out and prepare for the Olympics" after his club season with Guangdong Southern Tigers ended when they lost to Liaoning Flying Leopards in the Semi-Finals of the Chinese league playoffs.

The Nigerians are expected to open a training camp for the Olympics on 1 July.

"I talk to them all the time," he said about his national team colleagues. "As a matter of fact head coach [Will] Voigt was the one who told us about the draw. He is excited to coach us and we are excited to get back together to work and see what what we can do for the country of Nigeria."

Nigeria will open their Rio Olympics campaign against Argentina on Sunday 7 August.

FIBA