Kenyan youngster Job Ochieng unused in Real Sociedad’s win over Barcelona
By Luke Oluoch, January 19, 2026Harambee Stars ace Job Ochieng was included in Real Sociedad’s matchday squad as Real produced a stunning 2-1 win over Barcelona in a La Liga clash on Sunday, January 18, 2026.
Marcus Rashford drew Barcelona level in the 70th minute after Mikel Oyarzabal had handed the hosts a first-half advantage. The strike, however, proved short-lived, as Gonçalo Guedes restored the one-goal lead moments after the Englishman’s leveller.
The tie was filled with VAR drama and controversies, with Barcelona left feeling hard done by after having two goals disallowed and a penalty appeal similarly being chalked off for a foul.
The defeat dealt a blow to Barcelona’s title push, leaving Hansi Flick’s title-chasing charges just a point above their archrivals Real Madrid. It also halted their 11-game winning streak in La Liga.
Ochieng’s budding profile
Meanwhile, the clash against a fancied opponent saw Ochieng continue his quest for a regular spot in the senior side in the B team after progressing.
Ochieng, who is a member of the Real Sociedad B team, earned his first call-up to the first team and is now looking to make his debut. He earned his Harambee Stars debut in August 2025, during Kenya’s World Cup qualifier, marking his debut in the 3-0 hiding against The Gambia.
Despite the dismal debut, the Spanish-based attacker has continued his presence in Benni McCarthy’s team and also featured for the subsequent international friendly matches against Senegal and Equatorial Guinea.
Ochieng’s good tidings
The 23-year-old began his journey at Ligi Ndogo before making a bold move to Club Deportivo Maspalomas in Spain at just 17.
From there, he earned trials at Real Sociedad and impressed enough to secure a two-year deal with the La Liga juniors team.
2025 has seen the versatile attacker, who can play on either wing or as a number 9, enjoy a moment of epiphany as he made several inclusions to the senior team squad for La Liga matches.
He is the only other Kenyan youngster plying the Spanish league alongside Celta Vigo’s wonderkid Aldrine Kibet, who has been a key cog of the Harambee Stars U17 team.