Africa On The Ball and Racheal Kundananji Foundation team up to grow football‑powered community development in Zambia

New partnership aligns elite inspiration with grassroots delivery to expand opportunities for girls and boys on and off the pitch

The Racheal Kundananji Foundation (RKF) and Africa On The Ball (AOTB) have announced a partnership to accelerate community development through football across Lusaka and beyond. The collaboration brings together one of Africa’s leading footballers and a proven grassroots organisation to widen access to the game, remove barriers for girls, and strengthen pathways into education, health, equality and enterprise.

Founded by Racheal Kundananji with Bernadette Deka‑Zulu, RKF uses sport - especially football - to uplift communities. Recently honoured with an IOC Award for Social Justice and starring for Bay FC in the United States, Racheal is one of the most prominent figures in the global women’s game. She created the foundation to ensure her platform directly benefits the young people in the communities she grew up in.

AOTB, co‑founded by Kelvin Chasauka and Andrew Jenkin (now a lecturer at Stirling University), is a community club running 11 girls’ and boys’ teams alongside outreach programmes in Kalingalinga, Lusaka, that build life skills and local leadership.

“Football changed my life. With RKF and AOTB working together, we can open more doors for girls and boys to learn, lead and succeed – on the pitch and in life.”

— Racheal Kundananji, Founder, RKF

“This partnership connects elite inspiration with grassroots delivery. It means more coaches, safer environments, better pathways – and more young people in communities like Kalingalinga getting the chance to thrive.”

— Kelvin Chasauka, Co‑founder, AOTB

What the partnership aims to deliver;

• More access for girls and boys to safe, inclusive football activity

• Stronger links between pitch and classroom, supporting education and lifeskills

• Community leadership development, with players giving back locally

• Efficient, transparent collaboration across programmes and fundraising

Nicky Lewis, Chair of the RKF Board and now a Trustee of AOTB, will help ensure joined‑up governance to maximise impact and accountability across both organisations.

From the grassroots to the global stage: Faith’s story

Faith Kaunda is a powerful example of AOTB’s pathway in action. A long‑term participant in AOTB’s school fees support and youth system, Faith became the first female player to reach the Zambian National Team set‑up since K Town Queens was established in 2016. In a landmark year, she represented the Copper Princesses at the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, gained competitive experience on loan with ZedPro Sports Foundation in the National League, won COSAFA U17 honours, and was recognised as the Youngest Player of the Year in the FAZ National League Division 1.

“Faith shows what happens when talent meets opportunity. Our job is to make sure

more young people get that chance.”

— Bernadette Deka‑Zulu, Co‑founder, RKF