Josephat Lopaga
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | (2002-08-12) 12 August 2002 (age 22) | ||
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 |
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]
Early life
Born 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
Lopaga 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
Lopaga 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
- ^ 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". web.archive.org. 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.
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