Real Sociedad coach reveals why he handed Harambee Stars winger La Liga debut
Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 09.02.26. | 11:25
The Sanse winger, who wore shirt number 47, came on in the 63rd minute to replace Guedes in Sociedad’s clash against Elche, earning his first senior appearance under head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo
Harambee Stars forward Job Ochieng made his La Liga debut for Real Sociedad on Saturday, 7 February, becoming the third player this season to graduate from the club’s youth ranks into the first team.
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The Sanse winger, who wore shirt number 47, came on in the 63rd minute to replace Guedes in Sociedad’s clash against Elche, earning his first senior appearance under head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo.
He is also the first player from the reserve side to be promoted to the senior team this season.
Speaking after the final whistle to Mundo Deportivo, the American coach explained why he handed the Kenyan international his long-awaited opportunity.
“He has a lot of speed and is very valuable in many situations,” said Matarazzo.
The tactician went on to outline the qualities that set Ochieng apart and made him the right fit for the moment.
“He played because we needed precisely that type of player, someone who could make runs into space with speed. He has a strong sense of responsibility. It was a perfect match,” added the coach.
Born in Nairobi, Ochieng turned 23 last January and is well known for his pace.
The winger has already earned caps for the Kenya national team, Harambee Stars.
His journey to Real Sociedad has been anything but straightforward.
Ochieng made his first-team bow after spending several years developing across the club’s two reserve sides, a process that tested both his patience and resilience.
He first caught attention as a youngster at Ligi Ndogo, where his talent was evident early.
His family later set up a fund to help him travel abroad for training, with the understanding that the contributions would be repaid if he turned professional.
Several neighbours also chipped in to support his dream.
The winger eventually joined a sports academy in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where he impressed quickly but was forced out after failing to keep up with the monthly fees.
His fortunes changed in 2020 when he signed for Maspalomas, a club that has a working relationship with Real Sociedad.
Ochieng thrived at the Canary Islands outfit, and in 2022, a player agency recommended him to Real Sociedad.
Although he injured his ankle just days before a trial at Zubieta, the club still opted to sign him to their C team at the age of 19.
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A season later, he earned promotion to Real Sociedad B and was part of the squad that secured promotion to the Spanish Second Division last season.
In this campaign, Ochieng has made a strong impression in the Segunda División.
He scored the winning goal on the opening day against Zaragoza at Anoeta and has since featured in more than a dozen league matches, adding another goal against Leganés.
