DAR ES SALAAM (Tanzania) - Following two tough losses, Ethiopian side Hawassa will be looking to make amends when they take on Rwandan outfit Patriots on Friday as Group D takes shape in the Basketball Africa League Qualifying Tournament. 

Their inexperience at this level has cost them on both ends of the court but point guard Nathnael Amsalu believes that they have what it takes to bounce back and put up a positive result. 

“WE ARE PLAYING AGAINST MORE EXPERIENCED TEAMS AND COACHES WHICH MEANS WE HAVE TO WORK HARD. WE HAVE SEEN WHAT WE LACK. WE HAVE TO BETTER OUR SHOOTING PERCENTAGE.”- Amsalu

Hawassa will need their forwards Daniel Ergutu and Pangi Omod to continue their scoring run after they netted 16 and 14 points yesterday against the City Oilers of Uganda. 

Speaking to FIBA.basketball, Amsalu said, "We are playing against more experienced teams and coaches which means we have to work hard. We have seen what we lack. We have to better our shooting percentage."

In the second game of the day, hosts JKT face their biggest challenge at the tournament when they take on the City Oilers who have won two straight games so far. 

Christian Mwakingili's side opened their campaign with an 87-47 win over Hawassa on Wednesday before resting yesterday but they are keen on maintaining a good run. 

At stake is a place to continue the journey to the next round for a place in the prestigious Basketball Africa League 2020 that will bring the very best from the continent. 

JKT guard Baraka Athumani will need to be on top of his game but against the Oilers, they face a side hungry for victory to improve their win ratio to 3-0 and are willing to go to lengths to attain it. 

Even without center Ajolibe Chijioke, JKT will have to deal with a front court involving captain James Okello and two-time regional MVP Landry Ndikumana who is averaging 16.5 points per game so far after two games. 

Veteran Stephen Omony, who netted an impressive 21 points against Hawassa yesterday, said, "We have to continue working smart because our aim is to win every game we go into and this will be the same."

The top two teams from this competition will qualify to the second round of the Basketball Africa League Qualifying Tournaments. 

FIBA