Charles Bruno walks out on Michael Olunga Football Academy amidst promotion charge

Former Harambee Starlets assistant coach Charles Bruno has stepped down as head coach of Michael Olunga Football Academy (MOFA), bringing an end to his 10-month stint with the National Super League (NSL) side at a crucial point in the promotion race.

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In a brief statement released through the club’s official channels, MOFA confirmed Bruno’s departure while announcing assistant coach Fobian Hosea as the interim coach.

“Charles Bruno has stepped down as head coach. We thank him for his professionalism, leadership, and unwavering dedication to The White Rhinos’ cause, and wish him every success in his future endeavours.

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Assistant Coach Fobian Hosea will take charge on an interim basis,” the statement read.

The club, however, did not disclose the circumstances surrounding Bruno’s decision to leave.

His exit comes at a delicate stage of the season with the Michael Olunga-backed side still battling to keep their promotion ambitions alive.

MOFA’s hopes of securing a top-flight berth suffered a major setback over the past two rounds after dropping five crucial points in matches many viewed as must-win fixtures.

The Homa Bay-based outfit first squandered a commanding position to settle for a dramatic 3-3 draw against FC Talanta before suffering a painful 1-0 defeat to Migori Youth in the South Nyanza derby last weekend.

The disappointing run significantly dented the club’s momentum in the race for promotion, factors that might have contributed to his departure.

Those results saw MOFA slip to fifth place on the NSL table with 57 points, leaving them eight points adrift of third-placed Mombasa United, who occupy the final promotion slot on 65 points.

Bruno, a former Gor Mahia, Sony Sugar and Kisumu All Stars centre-back, joined MOFA at the start of the ongoing campaign from Kisumu All Stars with the task of guiding the ambitious side to the FKF Premier League.

Despite the recent downturn in results, the tactician leaves behind a respectable record.

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During his tenure, Bruno oversaw 32 matches registering 15 victories, 11 draws and only five defeats, one of the best defensive records in the division and jointly the second-fewest losses in the league alongside Equity FC.

Widely respected for his calm demeanour and tactical discipline, Bruno had managed to turn MOFA into one of the most competitive sides in the second tier before the late-season wobble complicated their promotion push.

His departure now adds to the growing list of managerial casualties in the NSL this season.

Bruno becomes the latest coach to exit the dugout following the recent dismissals of Gilbert Selebwa, Evans Mafuta, Francis Chege and Haji Bilali as pressure continues to mount in the battle for promotion and survival.