Kenyan defender Baron Ochieng’ has added his name to the growing list of Kenyan footballers making strides abroad after winning the 2025/26 Egyptian Premier League title in his debut season with Cairo giants Zamalek SC.
The Kenya U20 assistant captain joined Zamalek at the start of the just-concluded campaign from Sportpesa League side Sofapaka FC and has now secured the first major trophy of his professional career.
Although the young defender did not enjoy regular playing time during the season, lifting one of Africa’s biggest domestic league titles marks a major milestone in his football journey.
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Baron Ochieng makes history after winning Egyptian Premier League title
The title triumph also comes just days after Zamalek suffered heartbreak in the CAF Confederation Cup final, where they lost to Algerian side USM Alger.
Zamalek sealed the Egyptian Premier League crown for the first time since 2022 after edging Ceramica Cleopatra 1-0 at Cairo Stadium on the final day of the season.
Heading into the decisive clash, Zamalek knew that even a draw would be enough to guarantee the championship regardless of what rivals Pyramids FC and Al Ahly SC achieved in their respective matches.
However, Motamed Gamal’s side ensured there would be no late drama in front of thousands of passionate supporters inside the packed stadium.
Palestinian striker Oday Dabbagh gave Zamalek the perfect start in the eighth minute after capitalising on a costly defensive mistake from veteran defender Saad Samir. Dabbagh reacted quickest to a loose ball before calmly slotting home to send the home fans into wild celebrations.
Ceramica Cleopatra responded positively and created several dangerous moments, but Zamalek’s disciplined backline, which conceded only 17 goals throughout the campaign, stood firm.
The second half produced even more tension after Angolan winger Chico Banza thought he had doubled the lead shortly after the restart, only for VAR to disallow the goal. Ceramica were later handed a golden chance to equalise when they won a penalty in the 52nd minute.
Ahmed Belhadj stepped up, but goalkeeper Mohamed Awad produced a huge save to deny him and preserve Zamalek’s slender advantage in what many fans described as the defining moment of the title race.
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Despite heavy late pressure from Ceramica, Zamalek held on through eight minutes of added time before celebrations erupted at the final whistle.
The victory completed a remarkable turnaround under coach Motamed Gamal, who took charge in January 2026 after Portuguese tactician Yannick Ferreira left his role earlier in the campaign. Ahmed Abdel Raouf had briefly served as interim coach between November and December 2025 before Gamal guided the White Knights to domestic glory.
Zamalek finished the season with 56 points, two ahead of Pyramids FC and three clear of defending champions Al Ahly. The club recorded 17 wins, five draws and four defeats in 26 matches, scoring 39 goals while conceding only 17. They also kept 17 clean sheets during the impressive campaign.
Team captain Omar Gaber lifted the famous trophy as Zamalek secured their 15th Egyptian Premier League title and reaffirmed their place among Egypt’s football powerhouses.
The club’s leading scorers this season were Oday Dabbagh with nine goals, Nasser Mansi with six and Hossam Abdelmaguid with four.
For Baron Ochieng’, the title-winning season could serve as the perfect foundation ahead of next campaign. The Kenyan defender will now hope to break into Zamalek’s regular starting line-up and continue his development at one of the continent’s most successful clubs.
Zamalek’s rich history includes five CAF Champions League titles, two CAF Confederation Cups, five CAF Super Cups and now 15 Egyptian Premier League crowns, underlining the magnitude of Baron’s achievement in his very first season in North African football.