ELCHE, Spain — Kenyan forward Job Ochieng delivered a standout performance on Monday night, scoring once and providing two assists to help 10-man Real Sociedad edge Elche CF 3-2 in a La Liga match at the Estadio Martínez Valero.
The 23-year-old Nairobi-born attacker gave Real Sociedad the lead in the 11th minute with a powerful strike from distance. He then turned provider in the 32nd minute, setting up Yangel Herrera to double the visitors’ advantage before halftime.
The match changed after Real Sociedad defender Jon Martín was sent off with a straight red card in the 64th minute. Elche capitalized on the numerical advantage, pulling level through Thomas Lemar in the 67th minute and Fer Niño in the 74th minute.
Even after the dismissal, Real Sociedad found a late winner through Ochieng. In the 90th minute, he broke through the Elche defence and squared the ball for Luka Sučić, who finished to secure all three points for Imanol Alguacil’s side.
Ochieng finished the match with one goal and two assists, seven ball recoveries, and 100% of his aerial duels won. He was also credited with the joint-most chances created in the game and earned a 7.6 match rating.
His three goal involvements made him the youngest Real Sociedad player to contribute directly to three goals in a La Liga match since Alexander Isak in February 2021.
Ochieng’s performance adds to a remarkable rise for the Kenyan international. After moving to Spain at 17 in 2020 through a football academy programme that later collapsed, leaving him stranded in the Canary Islands, he rebuilt his career through trials at Maspalomas and later progressed through Real Sociedad’s reserve system.
The display is another milestone for Kenyan football. Ochieng is only the third Kenyan to play in La Liga, following McDonald Mariga and Michael Olunga, and his form is expected to boost interest ahead of Kenya’s upcoming continental qualifiers.
His rise from grassroots football in Nairobi, including Lang'ata and Express Soccer Academy, continues to inspire young players across East Africa. It has also helped draw more attention to La Liga broadcasts in Kenya and increased scouting interest in Kenyan talent.
Real Sociedad will now look to build on the result in their next league fixture, while national team selectors may be encouraged to hand Ochieng a bigger role in the next international window.