Kenyan midfielder's debut goal in Belarus earns Dinamo Brest three crucial points

Photo credit: Dinamo Brest

FOOTBALL Kenyan midfielder's debut goal in Belarus earns Dinamo Brest three crucial points

Mark Kinyanjui 08:58 - 21.08.2023

Lopaga joined the Belarusian side from Oman's Dhofar FC last week.

Former AFC Leopards midfielder Josephat Lopaga scored on his first start for Belarusian side Dinamo Brest as the Blue White Devils beat Slavia Moyr 1-0 to soar up to 10th place in the Vysshaya Liga.

The former Kenya U23 midfielder looked assured on just his second outing for Brest, having made his debut off the bench in their 1-0 loss to Isloch in their previous match.

Goalkeeper Mikhail Kozakevich also looked just as assured, aided by the team’s solid defensive shape which was able to help keep their goal intact. 

Kozakevich made many important saves on his account including keeping out a penalty in the end.

The victory in Mozyr allowed Dynamo Brest to slightly improve their position in the standings, where the team now has 16 points.

Lopaga, a former street urchin, started his professional footballing career with Gor Mahia Youth, before joining the now defunct Mount Kenya United,  Posta Rangers and 13-time league champions AFC Leopards.

Head coach Alexander Yurevich insisted that his side were nonetheless, fortunate to get the win, but stressed that it was luck they had earned.

“It was a very tough game. To be honest, no one has pushed us like this season as the Slavia team. It is positive that the guys endured, and used their chance,” Yurevich said

 “This is probably the first game of the season when luck was completely on our side. Luck must be earned. So we deserve something. Slavia is a very good team. It's nice to win against them, and it's a shame to lose to an opponent in such a game, but this is football.”

Dinamo will play Stulkz on Saturday as Lopaga seeks to build on from his debut goal.