Job Ochieng Receives Message from Benni McCarthy and ex-Arsenal Defender After La Liga Debut

Harambee Stars forward Job Ochieng has been showered with praise following his La Liga debut for Real Sociedad last weekend.

Ochieng came on as a 65th minute substitute as Sociedad beat Elche 3-1 at home last Saturday, etching his name in history as only the third Kenyan player to have ever played in the Spanish top flight.

Following his historic feat, Ochieng received a congratulatory message from Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy, who handed him his senior national team debut in a World Cup qualifier against The Gambia, last September.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Google News, Stay informed with Latest Sport News

“Big Congratulations Job, proud moment for you and your family. Keep working away,” McCarthy, who also played in La Liga with Celta Vigo, responded on the player’s Instagram post.

Ochieng also received a message of encouragement from ex-Arsenal left-back Nacho Monreal, whose agency Global Ases, represents the footballer.

“One more step, you deserve it!! Great job, Job Ochieng,” Monreal posted, expressing delight at seeing his protégé make the jump in his career.

The winger follows in the footsteps of McDonald Mariga, who also played for Sociedad, and Harambee Stars skipper Michael Olunga, who turned out for Girona, and while the other two had short spells in La Liga, Ochieng could be set for a longer one.

Ochieng has had to be patient for his opportunity, having come through the youth ranks at Sociedad. He joined the club in 2022 after a trial with Las Palmas, starting out at their C side before earning promotion to the second-string team, Real Sociedad B the following year.

A new two-year contract last May affirmed the club’s commitment to him as he became a key member of Real Sociedad B and earned a place in the Harambee Stars team even without playing in La Liga.

The former Ligi Ndogo star will now be hoping that it is the start of something special in his career and could be involved again on Wednesday when Sociedad make the short trip to local rivals Athletic Club for the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg in what will be an explosive Basque Derby.