Benni McCarthy Explains Why Real Sociedad Winger Job Ochieng Is Exactly What Harambee Stars Need

The Real Sociedad winger overcame homelessness in Europe to receive his first Harambee Stars call-up and earn comparisons to Alexander Isak.

Harambee Stars winger Job Ochieng did not have one of the easiest journeys to making a name for himself, and even earning a call-up to the Kenyan national team.

Job Ochieng made his Harambee Stars debut in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match against The Gambia, when Kenya lost 3-1. He came in as a last-minute substitute.

Ochieng then earned his first start in the Harambee Stars match against Seychelles, where Kenya won 5-0, both matches played at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

However, many are not aware of Job Ochieng’s journey, from being homeless at some point in his life to now being hailed as one of the best wingers in the world, even being compared to Liverpool’s Alexander Isak.

The Kenyan star, who now plays for Real Sociedad B, has proven that hard work pays and remains one of the most formidable players for the La Liga side.

Coming in from Maspalomas, the Canary Islands, his agent, Mikel Aramaio, pointed out that he watched Job Ochieng play on a video and knew the Kenyan was the right man for him.

“The coach of the Maspalomas regional team spoke to me, saying he had a Kenyan who was a spectacle, and just by seeing him on video, I told him to bring him and get him some trials here,” he revealed as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

However, after signing with the club, a kneecap injury in his early days kept him out for a few weeks. Job Ochieng wanted to stand out and would always give his all in training without taking the much-needed break.

Job Ochieng’s journey started in Nairobi, where he first took up football despite it not being part of his family’s tradition.

After spending several years with Express, a family friend encouraged Job Ochieng and his family to move to Gran Canaria, where a school was dedicated to developing young athletic talent. The move came at a cost of €1,200 per month, as Job Ochieng recalled in an interview.

To cover the expenses, relatives and friends pooled together funds, with the understanding that the money would be repaid if Ochieng made it in football.

It was a heavy burden to place on a 17-year-old who was preparing to move alone to a new country, without knowing the language or what awaited him.

Once in Spain, Job Ochieng was exceptional and often received praise for his impressive dribbling skills. “He’s a fast forward, with a knack for scoring, good ball control with both feet, and excellent dribbling skills. He’s physically powerful, with a great defensive ability,” described Ricky Santana, a close confidant of the player, to La Provincia.

Despite his promising performances on the pitch, Job Ochieng soon faced serious challenges off it. A delay in his monthly payment left him both homeless and without money.

While he was at the beach, the nursing home where he was staying threw all his belongings into the street in a garbage bag. It was a moment of panic and uncertainty that tested him deeply.

Fortunately, the winger managed to overcome that setback and went on to sign with Maspalomas, where he impressed over three seasons before catching the eye of Real Sociedad, who signed him at just 19 years old.

Real Sociedad has produced a few players like Alexander Isak, whose blend of height, skill, and speed made him a standout at Zubieta before breaking through to the first team and beyond. Now, Job Ochieng is similarly attracting attention.

“He’s a profile that doesn’t exist at Zubieta, either in terms of physique or qualities. He reminds me a bit of Isak because of his height, finesse, and speed; he’s incredibly fast. He’s different,” Dani Ugarte, an expert scout on Basque youth football, said.

His agent added that Job Ochieng is always ‘eternally grateful and incredibly happy for the outstanding care’ he received from the club during his injury, and for being given the opportunity and support from the very beginning ‘almost without being seen.’

Now, it is time for Job Ochieng to shine, and he has already made bold moves for his side, Real Sociedad and hopes to solidify his place in Harambee Stars.