Kenya international Job Ochieng marked another milestone in his fledgling career, starting for Real Sociedad in their Spanish La Liga match against Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night.
It was a poignant occasion for the 23-year-old Kenyan forward, who once could not even pay rent at an apartment he was staying in in Maspalomas, the southern Spanish coast town of Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands.
Ochieng played 66 minutes and featured in Sociedad’s consolation goal in the 4-1 loss, when his shot was deflected, and Luka Sučić pounced on the loose ball to slot it home. French forward Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick while Brazilian forward Vinícius Júnior struck once for Madrid.
It was Ochieng’s first appearance for Sociedad in La Liga this season, having been an unused substitute in their 1-0 season opener loss to Real Betis on August 21.
Kenya Police goalkeeper Job Ochieng (in black) vies for an aerial ball during their Football Kenya Federation Premier League match against Gor Mahia at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on February 25, 2023.
Photo credit: Pool
Last season, while registered with Real Sociedad B, the Harambee Stars forward made several appearances for the senior side in La Liga.
He made his top-flight debut on February 7 as a second-half substitute in Sociedad’s 3-1 victory over Elche CF.
In April, Ochieng made history as the first Kenyan to win a major trophy in Spain after lifting the Copa del Rey with Sociedad.
Sociedad, without Ochieng out injured, defeated Atletico Madrid 4-3 on penalty shootouts in the final after the two sides had played to a 2-2 draw in regular time.
He featured in the semi-final where Sociedad defeated Athletic Bilbao 2-0 on aggregate. Ochieng’s rise in Spain's football system has been defined not only by hard work but also by the unwavering support of his community in Kenya and officials at Club Deportivo Maspalomas in Gran Canaria.
Born in Nairobi on January 17, 2023, the forward honed his football skills at Ngong Road-based Ligi Ndogo.
He moved to Spain in 2020, joining Club Deportivo Maspalomas in Gran Canaria.
According to Spanish newspaper EL PAÍS, the transfer was courtesy of a company that helped foreign players secure opportunities in Europe.
Kenya Police Goalkeeper Job Ochieng chips past Ulinzi Stars Paul Okoth during a Sportpesa league match played on October 1, 2025, at Kenya Police Sacco Stadium.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation
But since Ochieng did not come from a well-off family, making the journey required financial contributions from his family and the wider football community in Nairobi. An article published by EL PAÍS on March 15 said Ochieng was at one time left homeless after payments for his accommodation and food stopped.
The agreement that had facilitated his move to Maspalomas included provisions for his accommodation and meals. However, when those payments ceased, he found himself without a place to stay.
He was eventually rescued by Maspalomas' former first team coach Carlos Gaumet and the club’s president Orlando Galindo.
"I was on the beach when they told me that they had taken all his things out and left him on the street," Gaumet was quoted by EL PAÍS.
"We took care of him. I was going to pick him up at home to take him to train. We gave him a job at the club school with the children and we gave him some money," he recalls.
He never gets nervous and tries to solve problems calmly. We gave him a quick solution and he was very grateful.”
Estadio Deportivo, a Spanish sports newspaper, reported on August 19, 2025, that upon arriving at Real Sociedad, Ochieng narrated how he was thrown out of his residence due to a delay in rent payment.
"One month, my parents could not pay my rent of 1,200 euros and the landlord threatened me that if I did not pay that money I would be kicked out of the house," the newspaper quoted Ochieng saying.
Ochieng joined Real Sociedad in 2022, where he featured for the club’s “C” team before moving up to the “B” side in 2023.
His breakthrough campaign with Real Sociedad “B” came last season when he recorded nine goals and two assists.
He is the third Kenyan to feature in La Liga after Olunga with Girona from 2017 to 2018 and McDonald Mariga, who played for Real Oviedo around the same period.
Ochieng made his Harambee Stars debut last year in a 3-1 loss to Gambia in a 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier.
