Job Ochieng Reportedly Resumes Club Training Days After Exiting Harambee Stars Squad

Kenyan winger Job Ochieng has returned to full training with Real Sociedad B, just days after being withdrawn from the Harambee Stars squad for the November international friendlies due to what the national team technical bench described as “a niggle.”

According to Spanish outlet Noticiasdegipuzkoa, Ochieng was unexpectedly spotted at Zubieta on Friday as Real Sociedad held their second-to-last training session of the international break, with head coach Imanol Alguacil calling up several academy players to reinforce a depleted squad.

The senior team remains without multiple first-team regulars due to injuries and international duty.

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Ander Barrenetxea, Yangel Herrera, and Jon Aramburu trained individually as they continue rehabilitation. 

They were joined on the sidelines by Jon Karrikaburu, Ibrahima Camara, and Jon Martin, leaving Alguacil short of numbers.

As a result, players from Sanse — including Unai Arana, Aitor Fraga, Peru Rodríguez, Jon Mariezkurrena, Iñaki Garro, Alex Beitia, Alberto Dadie, Bryan Fiabema, Dani Díaz, Ekain Azkune, and Eneko Astigarraga — were drafted in to train with the first team. 

Among them was Ochieng, whose presence raised eyebrows given his earlier withdrawal from Kenya’s traveling party to Turkey.

Ochieng had initially been included in Benni McCarthy’s squad for friendlies against Equatorial Guinea and Senegal, but assistant coach Vasil Manousakis later confirmed that the midfielder, along with Adam Wilson, Manzur Okwaro, Timothy Ouma, and Vincent Harper, would sit out the games due to “niggles” and “congestion of domestic league fixtures.”

His prompt return to training in Spain suggests the issue may have been minor, although neither Real Sociedad nor the Harambee Stars technical bench has provided further clarification.

The timing mirrors a growing trend among foreign-based Kenyan players who are increasingly cautious with injuries during the crowded European calendar. 

With Real Sociedad B in the thick of their league schedule, Ochieng’s presence in training will be a welcome boost for the club as they manage their own injury crisis.

Harambee Stars, meanwhile, felt the absence of several key players in their 1–0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea in Antalya on Friday. Kenya face AFCON champions Senegal next on November 18, still without Ochieng and the other sidelined stars.