Harambee Stars winger Job Ochieng etched his name into Kenyan football folklore on Saturday, becoming just the third player from his nation to feature in Spain’s top flight after making his LaLiga debut for Real Sociedad.
The 22 year old entered the fray in the 65th minute of Sociedad’s 3-1 victory over Elche at the Reale Arena, replacing Gonçalo Guedes as his side protected a narrow 2-1 lead. His introduction helped steady the ship and add fresh energy, with the hosts eventually sealing the win through a late Orri Oskarsson goal.
The historic moment places Ochieng in an exclusive Kenyan trio, following in the footsteps of McDonald Mariga, who also turned out for La Real on loan from Inter Milan in the 2011–12 campaign and current national team captain Michael Olunga, who starred for Girona during the 2017–18 season.
Ochieng’s journey to this point has been one of patience and persistence. Having honed his skills in Sociedad’s B team after joining from the famed Ligi Ndogo academy in Nairobi, the pacy forward has steadily impressed coach Pellegrino Matarazzo enough to earn his first team chance.
With Sociedad pushing for European qualification, the win leaves them eighth, just four points off the European spots, Ochieng will hope his debut is the first of many appearances this season. Both Mariga and Olunga made 14 LaLiga appearances during their spells; Ochieng now has the opportunity to build his own legacy in one of the world’s most watched leagues.
For Kenyan football, it’s another proud milestone and a sign that the pipeline of talent from East Africa to Europe’s elite divisions remains well and truly open.
