The Michael Olunga Football Academy Technical Director has been criticized for creating a tough working condition at the club by departed coach Alfred Chole.
Management of the Michael Olunga Football Academy (MOFA) has come under criticism over harsh working conditions for coaches at the club.
MOFA coach Alfred Chole quit the club this week and has cited unfavourable working conditions for his decision to quit, claiming the Technical Director Kevin Aol has been interfering with his work, making his position untenable.
“I have left MOFA in a respectful manner. I handed in my resignation letter to the CEO, who may be surprised by my decision, but it was time to step away and allow the team to function effectively,” Chole told Mozzart Sport.
“MOFA is a well-resourced club, and I sincerely appreciate Captain [Michael] Olunga and his brother Victor Ogada for their efforts in promoting talent and supporting families through football. However, the club has a cancer, and that cancer is deeply rooted.
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“Coaches struggle to succeed because of the Technical Director, Aol, who does not understand his role and has made it difficult for every coach who has worked here,” said the former APS Bomet coach, who joined the club at the start of the season.
The tactician left days after his team lost 2-0 to Mombasa United in a National Super League match last weekend but says results were not the reasons for his resignation but rather constant interference in his work as he had lost the power to make decisions over his team.
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“As an ambitious coach, I cannot sit back and allow someone to dictate which players I should field, even when they are not match-fit. I was also forced to adopt certain formations that did not align with our training sessions,” added Chole.
“Against Mombasa United, for instance, the Technical Director insisted that all the recent signings should play, even though some were not ready. Players were signed without my input, and then, before the match, I was pressured to adopt a lineup and formation unfamiliar to the team. This level of interference is unacceptable.”
Chole is the third coach to leave MOFA in recent years following the departure of Kassim Otieno Junior after his failure to secure NSL promotion in the 2023-24 season, having joined the club after George Lio was dismissed.
“The TD has consistently interfered with my work. We barely followed our schedule, and whenever results went south, he would step back and start questioning the coach, despite being the one causing instability in the team,” Chole further said.
“You cannot sit back and allow your coaching profile, which you have worked so hard to build, to be tarnished. I felt it was time to leave and allow the club to explore other options. I wish the team all the best in the remaining games.”
Chole had won eight of his 19 matches in charge, drawn six and lost five, leaving MOFA in fifth place on the NLS table with 30 points, 10 behind league leaders Nairobi United.
