Kenyan forward Josephat Lopanga who plies trade with Dynamo Brest in the Belarusian Premier League, is among the six players nominated for the Player of the Month Award for August after his impressive performance.

Others are Mikhail Gordeychuk (right winger), Mikhail Kozakevich (goalkeeper), Sergey Kislyak (defensive midfielder), Dennis Kovalevich (Central midfielder) and Nikita Burak (left winger).

Lopanga, a former street kid, rose through the odds juggling between the harsh life and the hopes of one day making it in life.

The 21-year-old fled from his home in Baragoi due to rampant cattle rusting to Nakuru where he lived as a street kid.

His big break in the sport came after City Stadium Homeless Youth Rehabilitation Centre through former AFC Leopards goalkeepers’ trainer Alex Mwangi introduced him to the game.

Lopaga, in his formative years,  rose through the ranks of Gor Mahia Youth team and also donned the colors of Posta Rangers and AFC Leopards.

In January 2023, the hawk-eyed forward signed for Oman-based club Dhofar. Seven months later, he secured a lifetime chance after impressing during the trials before putting pen to paper on an 18-month deal with Dynamo Brest.

He has managed four starts, scoring twice and dons the number eight jersey for the team.

The Belarusian club won its first league title in 2019 and was also the winner of the Belarusian Cup in 2007, 2017 and 2018.