Kariobangi Sharks midfielder James Mazembe shrugged off mental issues after the demise of his brother to celebrate his first goal since his death in the 4-0 pummeling of Vihiga United on Saturday. Mazembe had endured a 12-game goal drought in the league as his blistering start to the season withered off since the resumption of the league back in May after close to a two months break.Speaking to Mozzart Sport, Mazembe revealed that he battled a mental breakdown following the death of his brother who he termed as a second dad to him.Full of barnstorming runs on the flanks, James Mazembe was a live wire today.He managed 2 assists and a goal.#WeAreSharks #BetwaySharks pic.twitter.com/NOeFTvm6Fr— Kariobangi Sharks FC (@k_sharksfc) July 17, 2021 “During the suspension of sports in the country, I was really affected mentally because I lost my brother just before the break, it was a really tough time for me because he is the one who brought me up and he is the reason I’m a footballer today,”“I dedicated the goal against Vihiga yesterday to him and all the goals that I will score in my career, he raised me from class three all through to finishing my education because my parents were not in Kericho with me, he has like my second dad and losing him left me devastated but this is life,” said Mazembe.The 2017 Secondary School Games MVP also bagged a brace of assists in the Vihiga United clash to move clear at the summit of the assists charts to 10 this season.⏸️| IntervalWe lead at recess #WeAreSharks #BetwaySharks pic.twitter.com/9JAVascuzH— Kariobangi Sharks FC (@k_sharksfc) July 17, 2021 Mazembe was delighted to break his long scoring drought but was more impressed with assisting Eric Kapaito who bagged 21 goals this season following his brace.“I was really happy breaking my goalscoring drought, it had been a long time coming and what made me even happy was assisting Kapaito,”“We have been putting an extra shift with Kapaito in training, whenever we finish training we stay behind to work on our chemistry on the pitch and I’m glad it has helped, the coach too has helped me because he always trusts me,” added Mazembe.
