Consistency the key to winning DDC, says Notoane ahead of Pirates clash

It might be early days for the DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) title talk, but Mamelodi Sundowns mentor David Notoane believes the youngsters need to be more consistent in getting results in order for them to go a step further than last season.

Sundowns were runners-up in the DDC last season after Stellenbosch FC came from behind to beat Golden Arrows 4-3 and clinch the title with 69 points at Tsakane Stadium.

After 12 games of the current campaign Sundowns' are third on the log having gathered 26 points.

They are three points behind Stellies who are already at the top with 29 points from 13 games.

Notoane is adamant that they can go a step further this year and win the Diski Challenge, which they won in the 2016-17 season.

"January, February looks like a championship month for us," said Notoane.

He further explained: " We need to be more consistent in getting results. If you look at last season, in the mentioned two months (January and February) we dropped a lot of points as we drew three matches, lost one and won one. And if we had won those matches, we were going to have a different story at the end of the season."

"Now we have a chance again. If we can convert more of the chances we create and improve defensively, that would be enough to wrap up the campaign."

Sundowns will resume their Diski campaign with a blockbuster against Orlando Pirates at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday (10am).

Despite Pirates blowing hot and cold in their past 12 matches where they were only able to collect 12 points, Notoane warned his charges not to take them lightly.

Notoane concluded: "We have received a huge boost as some of our players who were busy with exams late last year are back and ready to go. With them (Pirates) having some of our ex-players such as Neo Mokoena, Sepale Matlou and Kabelo Moagi, it will be very exciting and we are looking forward to having a good start to the year."