New Free State Stars coach Gordon Igesund has set a target of 25 points in the second round of their Premiership campaign.

The former Maritzburg United mentor left the KwaZulu-Natal outfit citing 'personal reasons' as the motive for his departure.

He told the club's official website: "With the league program all congested if we can get at least 25 points out of the possible 45 we will at least end up in the top 8. Another thing is that we still have to play the big guns away so it certainly not going to be an easy second round not only for us but for all the teams.

"For example if you win two consecutive games you are in the top 8, and also if you lose to games you drop down to that position I dont want to even call it with a name.

"The team has just collected 15 points from 15 games so we need to start playing catch up as far as collecting points is concerned."

Igesund is the third man to ascend to the 'Ea Lla Koto' coaching helm this season. Themba Sithole started the season as Stars coach but was replaced by Jose Valihnos who was in charge for only one game.

Sithole took charge after Valihnos left and will assume his new role as the club's assistant.

Igesund said: "To be very honest the team has not been doing badly at all and the credit must go to Themba Sithole and his technical team for doing an excellent job with the team.

"The fact that the team has played nine draws, that clearly shows that they are a very difficult side to beat, but the main concern is the way the goals have been scarce for the team. In the goalkeeping and defensive department the team has excelled in these departments.

"I have known the chairman Mr Mike Mokoena for more than 30 years now and it is good to be closely doing business with him. My assistant and I come a long way, obviously Themba knows the style and culture of the team which will make our job a lot easier."

The four-time league winner has set out discipline as his first priority.

"I expect players to be professionals or act professional I am certainly not going to tolerate ill disciplined players. I expect my players to respect their job and respect other people's businesses as club owners invest a lot of money in the clubs.

"I am a disciplinarian I don't tolerate players who are not going to take their jobs seriously, I am so far happy with everything I see here at the club, the gym and a nutritional diet prepared by the physio. I want players to understand me and have a father and son relationship like."

Igesund's first match in charge will be in the Free State derby against Bloemfontein Celtic, something he is looking forward to.

"Unfortunately this will be my first Free State derby both as a player and as a coach. I mean a derby is a derby nothing that beats the spirit of the derby anywhere in the world. There is a lot at stake pride, dignity and bragging rights so I expect a very tough game on Sunday against Celtic," he concluded.