Josephat Lopaga (born 12 August 2002) is a Kenyan professional footballer who plays for Belarusian club Naftan Novopolotsk on loan from Dynamo Brest, as a striker.[1]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 12 August 2002 | ||
| Place of birth | Baragoi, Kenya | ||
| Position(s) | Striker | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team |
Naftan Novopolotsk (on loan from Dynamo Brest) | ||
| Number | 8 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Shy Football Academy | |||
| 2017–2019 | Gor Mahia | ||
| 2019–2020 | Mt Kenya United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2020–2022 | Posta Rangers | ||
| 2022–2023 | A.F.C. Leopards | ||
| 2023 | Dhofar | ||
| 2023– | Dynamo Brest | 23 | (5) |
| 2024– | → Naftan Novopolotsk (loan) | ||
| International career | |||
| Kenya U17 | |||
| Kenya U23 | |||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 28 July 2024 | |||
Early life
editBorn in Baragoi, Lopaga spent his early years in Maralal, later living as a "street kid", moving between Nyahururu, Nakuru and Nairobi.[2] He joined a homeless rehabilitation programme and began playing football.[2]
Club career
editLopaga began playing for Shy Football Academy, before signing for Gor Mahia in 2017.[2] He moved to Mt Kenya United in 2019, later signing for Posta Rangers.[2][3]
After a spell with A.F.C. Leopards,[4] he signed for Omani club Dhofar in February 2023.[5][6]
He signed for Belarusian club Dynamo Brest in August 2023,[7][8][9] scoring his first goal for the club in his second match.[10][11] He later said he wanted to score more goals for the club.[12] He also said that his new teammate Cédric Kouadio was helping him settling in.[13]
In July 2024, he moved on loan to Naftan Novopolotsk.[14]
International career
editLopaga has played for the Kenya under-17 and under-23 teams.[2][13]
In June 2024, he was called-up to the Kenya senior team for the first team.[15]
References
edit- ^ Josephat Lopaga at Soccerway. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "EXCLUSIVE: From a street kid to a lethal striker - this is the inspiring story of Josphat Lopaga | MozzartSportKe". www.mozzartsport.co.ke.
- ^ "Lopaga shakes off bitter street life to bask in top-flight glory". The Star.
- ^ "Lopaga ready to impress at AFC Leopards". The Star.
- ^ "AFC Leopards center-back leaves the club, joins Middle East top club". 8 February 2023.
- ^ "Kenyan duo move to Oman after getting deal with Dhofar Club | MozzartSportKe". www.mozzartsport.co.ke.
- ^ "Former AFC Leopards forward joins Dynamo Brest". 11 August 2023. Archived from the original on 11 August 2023.
- ^ "Former Ingwe forward joins Belarusian side Dynamo-Brest | MozzartSportKe". www.mozzartsport.co.ke.
- ^ Sports, Pulse (8 August 2023). "Reformed Kenyan street boy completes move to Belarusian club after transfer saga". Pulse Sports Kenya.
- ^ "Kenyan forward Lopaga scores on 2nd appearance at Brest". www.pd.co.ke. 21 August 2023.
- ^ Sports, Pulse (21 August 2023). "Kenyan midfielder's debut goal in Belarus earns Dinamo Brest three crucial points". Pulse Sports Kenya.
- ^ "Kenyan forward Lopaga reveals targets after 1st goal at Brest". www.pd.co.ke. 22 August 2023.
- ^ a b Sports, Pulse (22 August 2023). "Former AFC Leopards midfielder finally opens up on why he moved to Belarusian side Dinamo Brest". Pulse Sports Kenya.
- ^ Oguda, Zachary (29 July 2024). "EXCL: Kenyan striker finds a new home in Belarus".
- ^ "Belarus-based Lopaga delights in national team call up | MozzartSportKe". www.mozzartsport.co.ke.