Kariobangi Sharks midfielder Keith Imbali has opened up on his struggles growing up that saw him come from a family with a history of domestic issues and surviving mob justice.Imbali is one of the key players at Sharks and an admiration to watch with his partnership in the middle of the park alongside Biron ‘N’golo’ Otieno and Andreas Odhiambo helping Sharks to not only dominate games but also win them.’Football is only played by poor people’ – Harambee Stars’ forward Masud JumaHowever, Imbali’s rise from the slums of Kinyago in Nairobi to the top has not been that rosy as he had his fair share of struggles and overcame various obstacles to reach the top.The former Gor Mahia Youth midfielder also disclosed that he has been taking care of himself since he was in primary school and at some point got consumed by bad influence and found himself involved in crime.##NAJAVA_MECA_8528328##“In that journey of growing up and feeding myself, I was not just humble throughout. I have also had my fair share of darkness where I have done a few things here and there and activities that are not good. At some point, I faced the wrath of a mob justice but God is faithful and I am here,” Imbali said in an interview with TikiTaka Show.Nzoia Sugar head coach stresses need for players’ financial motivation amidst good runThe midfielder was born into a family of four siblings; three boys and one girl where he is the second born. Unfortunately, he lost his elder brother who was attacked in a case of a street fight during his early primary school days.The loss of his brother provided a new role for Imbali as he had to assume a leadership position in the family that also entailed parental duties.##NAJAVA_MECA_8528323##“After I lost my brother, I assumed his role and had to fend for myself and my family. My mother was selling drugs while my dad was doing odd jobs and sometimes supporting her in her work,” he stated.The environment in Kinyago coupled with the financial constraints and state of his parents also brought another social challenge, domestic violence at home.Mariga addresses clubs ahead of FKF electionsAs young as he was, Imbali knew that was not the life he wanted to grow in and live, opting to go out and chart his own path.“I didn’t like that life and got fed up. I then joined a team in the neighbourhood called Kinyago United which also had a clubhouse. I moved to the clubhouse to escape from the challenges in my neighbourhood and that’s how I started doing things on my own,” he revealed.##NAJAVA_MECA_8528318##Imbali cast his net wide and was not only involved in football but ventured into arts where he trained as an acrobat as well as a drummist.He was a decent acrobat and drumist that football became his third option but was heartbroken by the first two when a scholarship to go to China to sharpen his acrobatics skills failed to materialize at the last minute. Commediene Dem wa FB tipped to turn pro after return to actionThe same fate would befall his drumming dream leaving him with no option but to turn to the beautiful game. “I felt disappointed and heartbroken with the two and decided to concentrate on football.”##NAJAVA_MECA_8528316##Knowing that football was his only way out, he worked extra hard and his performance earned him a football scholarship at Eastleigh High School.“I took myself to school though aided by a scholarship that I go. I was also on the verge of joining a University in the United States,” he added.Details of AIK director and Swedish agent’s scouting trip to Kariobangi SharksEven though the former Coast Stima player managed to overcome his challenges and make it to the top tier, he says his upbringing is not one to be proud of.“I did not grow up with family support like my peers and so it’s not something that I am proud of but again it helped me to grow as there’s no situation currently that I cannot handle,” he said.##NAJAVA_MECA_8528303##Nevertheless, it has helped to build resilience in him and the ability to manage complex issues.Imbali was unfortunate to lose his mother through illness in 2017 but father is still in the city, and his younger brother plays for Dandora Youth while their last-born sister is in High School.