Sofapaka and Kenya U20 defender Baron Ochieng has joined Egyptian giants Zamalek FC  following a stellar year with the Kenyan U20 team.

In a statement from the club on Friday, September 12, 2025, the young Kenyan defender, who was part of the Kenya U20 side that made history by becoming the first junior football team to qualify for the 2025 AFCON U20 games in Egypt in May, has joined the club commonly referred to as the White Castle

According to reports, the marauding full-back has signed a two-year contract and has been registered as a U-19 player.

Ochieng, who acted as the team’s vice skipper under Salim Babu, joins the North African giants’ side after parting ways with Sofapaka FC.

Ocheing’s career

Ochieng kicked off his professional career at National Super League side Kibera Black Stars before moving to Sofapaka in 2023.

 His star rose rapidly while at the Batoto Ba Mungu and earned his first call-up to the Kenya U18 side for the 2023 CECAFA Junior Championship before later featuring for the Rising Stars during the Four Nations Tournament in Malawi in March 2024.

He had previously featured in the U18 and U20s teams before transitioning to the U23s.

In June, the reliable defender made his debut for the senior squad, receiving his first-ever Harambee Stars call-up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against the Ivory Coast and Burundi.

The defender, alongside Rising Stars compatriot, Tyron Kariuki (Rainbow) were subject to moves abroad in 2023, with Spanish side, Nastic Sports Academy expressing interest in signing the pair.

The deal, however, fell through due to what was reported as ‘some outrageous’ demands from the respective Kenyan clubs.

Back at home, the full back who thrives in a wing-back role was voted Sofapaka defender of the year in 2024 after a solid run with the KPL side. His most recent standout performance came in the U20s team, Rising Stars, which featured in the AFCON U20 championship for the very first time.