Highlands Park have appointed former Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund as their new head coach for the 2016-17 season with immediate effect.

The 60-year-old will now replace Allan Freese as head coach of the Lions of the North after the club struggled to come to terms with football in the Absa Premiership this season.

Under the guidance of Freese, the Lions of the North have only collected four from a possible 15 points from five appearances in the Absa Premiership so far this season.

Igesund arrives at the club with a wealth of experience, coaching the likes of Ajax Cape Town, SuperSport United, Mamelodi Sundowns, Moroko Swallows and the South African national team.

Highlands Park will now take on Chippa United in the Telkom Knockout at the Makhulong Stadium on Friday.

Kick-off has been scheduled for 20:00.