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Josephat Lopaga

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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

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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

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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

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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

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  1. ^ Josephat Lopaga at Soccerway. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "Lopaga shakes off bitter street life to bask in top-flight glory". The Star.
  4. ^ "Lopaga ready to impress at AFC Leopards". The Star.
  5. ^ "AFC Leopards center-back leaves the club, joins Middle East top club". 8 February 2023.
  6. ^ "Kenyan duo move to Oman after getting deal with Dhofar Club | MozzartSportKe". www.mozzartsport.co.ke.
  7. ^ "Former AFC Leopards forward joins Dynamo Brest". 11 August 2023. Archived from the original on 11 August 2023.
  8. ^ "Former Ingwe forward joins Belarusian side Dynamo-Brest | MozzartSportKe". www.mozzartsport.co.ke.
  9. ^ Sports, Pulse (8 August 2023). "Reformed Kenyan street boy completes move to Belarusian club after transfer saga". Pulse Sports Kenya.
  10. ^ "Kenyan forward Lopaga scores on 2nd appearance at Brest". www.pd.co.ke. 21 August 2023.
  11. ^ Sports, Pulse (21 August 2023). "Kenyan midfielder's debut goal in Belarus earns Dinamo Brest three crucial points". Pulse Sports Kenya.
  12. ^ "Kenyan forward Lopaga reveals targets after 1st goal at Brest". www.pd.co.ke. 22 August 2023.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ Oguda, Zachary (29 July 2024). "EXCL: Kenyan striker finds a new home in Belarus".
  15. ^ "Belarus-based Lopaga delights in national team call up | MozzartSportKe". www.mozzartsport.co.ke.
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