Former AFC Leopards forward Josephat Lopaga is in great spirits as his Belarusian side Dinamo Brest intensifies its pre-season campaign ahead of their top flight season opener against Slavia-Mozyr on the 27th this month.Lopaga, having already completed half a season with the side, banks on his stellar last season performance to put in another rewarding show for his new employers.‘’I only got here midway through last season so most of it was me acclimatising with the new environment; from the weather, new country, new language and all of that. I can say I made the most of the opening months when I moved here,’’ says the speedy left-footed winger.Lopaga, having made his way from Ingwe to Dhofar Club in Oman, soon found the Belarusian side interested in his services just months into Dhofar. He then had to make a hasty move midway through the campaign. And at the end of the 2023 season, 4 goals and 2 contributions in just twelve matches is a fair return for his club he thinks.‘’I had to get down to work immediately. Luckily for me, I found a very accommodating side and they ensured I settled in well in the shortest time possible,’’ says Lopaga of his side that finished 10th during last season’s campaign.##NAJAVA_MECA_7821878##Brest recorded 9 wins and three draws last season- and a massive 16 losses along the way. Though sitting 10th, and a massive 39 points adrift pf last season’s title winners Dinamo Minsk, the forward admits that the Belarusian top flight is very competitive and a lot of work will need to be done if they are to compete with the top teams in the division.‘’We all played as a team. Won, drew and lost as one so I do not want to say that I was only here for a half a season. As I have already said, we have a very hard-working unit and a technical bench well-versed in the knowledge of the game,’’‘’This is why even in pre-season, one can feel the confidence in camp ahead of the new campaign,’’ he continues.Benzema denies he wants to quit Saudi ArabiaLopaga, who has been in the ranks of Posta Rangers too in the Kenyan Premier League, anticipates a good year, both for himself and current club Brest. A product of Gor Mahia youth set-up, the forward visualises himself getting involved in more goals for the side and a hopefully catch the eyes of other elite outfits in Europe.‘’It’s a still a story being written I believe. I have found my scoring boots so I pray for a good season, get more goals and help my team finish better than last season. It hasn’t been easy though as our team has plenty of seasoned players in each position. Each start for me is a result of a lot of work in training,’’ he concludes.Brest will take on Salvia-Mozyr on the 27th, one of the opening day matches to set the 2024 Belarusian Premier League running.
