Harambee Stars winger Job Ochieng’ became the first Kenyan to win a major trophy in Spain after his club, Real Sociedad, lifted the Copa del Rey following a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout victory over Atletico Madrid. The match had ended 2-2 after extra time, setting the stage for a tense finish at La Cartuja.
Even though Ochieng’ missed the final due to an injury picked up while on national team duty in Rwanda during the FIFA Series where Kenya finished third, his contribution to the campaign cannot be overlooked.
He featured in the semi-finals as Sociedad knocked out Athletic Bilbao 2-0 on aggregate back in March and has been a consistent figure for the club lately featuring for the Real Sociedad B where he is the sides main man in attack and appearing in match day squad for the La Liga outfit.
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Harambee Stars winger Job Ochieng’ became the first Kenyan to win a major trophy in Spain
The final itself had everything. Sociedad made a dream start, scoring just 14 seconds in through Ander Barrenetxea. It was the kind of opening that sends fans into early celebrations. But Atletico responded well, with Ademola Lookman drawing them level in the 19th minute after a neat move involving Antoine Griezmann.
Just when it seemed the sides would go into the break level, Sociedad were handed a lifeline. Juan Musso fouled Goncalo Guedes in the box, and captain Mikel Oyarzabal stepped up to convert the penalty deep into first-half stoppage time.
“I’ve never walked on water, but it must feel something like this,” Oyarzabal said later, summing up the emotions of the occasion.
Atletico kept pushing and eventually found their equaliser late on. Julian Alvarez struck with seven minutes remaining, finishing brilliantly to force extra time and keep Diego Simeone’s side in the contest.
Extra time produced chances at both ends. Musso pulled off a double save to deny Luka Sucic and Orri Oskarsson, while Alvarez came close again at the other end. But neither side could find the winner, and penalties were needed.
That is where Sociedad goalkeeper Unai Marrero stepped up. He saved Atletico’s first two penalties from Alexander Sorloth and Alvarez, giving his side a huge advantage. Although Musso managed to stop one effort, Pablo Marin held his nerve to score the winning kick.
“I tried to clear my mind. Calm and serene,” Marin said. “Real is my life, I’ve lived here since I was a child. This is the greatest thing I could ever dream of , winning a title with the team of my life.”
Marrero, the hero of the night, added: “I knew that if it went to penalties, I had a lot of confidence in myself. The team and the fans did too. I still can’t believe it.”
For Sociedad, it was their fourth Copa del Rey title and their first with fans present since their 2021 triumph, which had been played behind closed doors due to the Covid pandemic.
For Ochieng’ who has been featuring for Real Sociedad B and also getting called up to the senior side a number of times now ,this is a personal milestone, but also a proud moment for Kenyan football. It shows that the path is possible. From local pitches to lifting trophies in Spain, that journey now has a name.