Harambee Stars and Real Sociedad forward Job Ochieng battles for ball control against Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe during a LaLiga match at Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Wednesday. [AFP]
Kenyan football fans had plenty to smile about this week as three Harambee Stars players took centre stage in European football, offering a reminder of the talent that continues to grow at home and find its way onto some of the biggest stages abroad.
Job Ochieng enjoyed perhaps the biggest moment of the three when he made his first start of the season for Real Sociedad against record Uefa Champions League winners Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday.
The Nairobi-born forward was trusted to lead Sociedad’s attack in a huge LaLiga fixture watched by millions around the world. Although Sociedad lost 4-1, Ochieng’s presence in the starting line-up was a proud moment for Kenyan football.
The 26-year-old played for 66 minutes before being replaced by Ander Barrenetxea. He also played a part in Sociedad’s equaliser, with his effort taking a deflection before Luka Sucic finished to make it 1-1.
Real Madrid eventually pulled away through a Kylian Mbappe hat-trick and a goal by Vinicius Junior, but the result could not take away from Ochieng’s personal achievement.
He completed 10 of 13 passes and six of those successful passes came in the opposition half, showing his growing confidence at the highest level.
For Ochieng, the journey to the Bernabéu is a story of patience, sacrifice and belief.