OUR PEOPLE

Chief Executive Officer

Meet Jake, our CEO at Play it Forward. With experience working as a logistician for Raleigh International in Tanzania, Coopération Internationale in Malawi, and project management for the World Food Programme in Nigeria, he’s a dynamic leader driving positive change. Possessing a BSc in Sport & Exercise Science and an MSc in NGO and Development Management, he’s also an experienced sports coach. Jake’s unwavering commitment to creating positive change, combined with his diverse expertise, makes him an invaluable asset to our mission of empowering communities in need.

Country Director

Lwanga leads the development of new programs to support the strategic direction of the organisation and is involved with developing evaluation methods to assess program strengths and identify areas for improvement. He leads partnerships with local NGOs to increase the impact of Play it Forward’s programmes. Prior to joining Play it Forward, Lwanga served as administration officer at the Royal Livingstone Hotel. He also ran his own start-up and volunteered at various organisations working to improve literacy, entrepreneurship and reduce poverty in Livingstone communities. Lwanga is a strong advocate for gender equality, education and technology for all.

Project Coordinator & Girl’s Coach

Finance Manager

O’brian is the accountant and admin at Play It Forward Zambia, in charge of all projects related finances and internal controls for the organisation. He oversees the preparation of financial reports, budgeting and grants application and communications with the external auditors. Prior to joining Play It Forward, O’brian worked as an accountant at Finta Farms Ltd, a dairy processing company in Livingstone for over five years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounts, Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business under the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Licentiate Diploma under the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA).

Project Coordinator & Boy’s Coach

Webby joined Play It Forward (formerly Young Boys Football Club) in 2017 after a notable playing career with GMH Academy, Southern Reeds, and Livingstone Pirates. Transitioning to coaching, he became Under-17 Coach in 2018, backed by certifications including FAZ D License and Swindon Town FC Foundation Coaching Education. Committed to youth development, he’s mentored numerous players and coaches in Livingstone, embodying Play It Forward’s ethos of empowering the next generation of football talent.

Mbali is the Communications, Events, and Fundraising Officer at Play It Forward and the Media Officer for the Play It Forward Football teams. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce in
Business Administration with a specialty in Marketing and is currently pursuing an MBA. With a passion for impactful storytelling, Mbali manages digital content, public relations, donor
relations, and events, ensuring alignment with Play It Forward’s mission. She plays a pivotal role in amplifying the organization’s visibility, fostering partnerships, and securing funding.
Mbali is committed to empowering communities and creating opportunities through education, sports, and innovative outreach campaigns.

Men’s Coach

Coach Serge started his playing football career at the age of 6 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He further went on to play as a professional football player in Zambia, Zimbabwe and in Switzerland. He started his coaching career in 2006 and found himself thriving in the role, winning 5 league titles with 3 different teams. Since that time he has never looked back. Football is his main focus in life and he has a very deep passion for coaching. Serge is currently the coach for the Play it Forward Senior Men’s Team who play in FAZ Division 1.

Education Project Officer

Carol Mapitao is our Education and Life Skills project officer. Before joining PFZ she worked with Sport in Action as a site coordinator, British Council under premier skills as a coach educator, and later moved to Germany under the Welwärt program. Her hosting organisation was ASC in Göttingen where she was attached to a kindergarten. Returning back to Zambia, she worked with Mopani kinder/primary school as a sports teacher.  Lastly, she worked with Impact Network as a supervisor for lower primary and ECE teachers.

Project Coordinator & Girl’s Coach

Selina joined Play it Forward in 2018 as a volunteer Coach for the girl’s team. Previously, she played for Randers FC before being signed by Eastland FC in 2015.  She currently holds a FAZ “D” licence, first aid qualification and has completed a qualification in mentorship which she obtained from the “football3” National Festival. She also serves as a peer educator, teaching young people in the community about sexual health and HIV.

Project Coordinator & Boy’s Coach

Stafford Manda is a Coach at Play it Forward. Before joining us, he had a playing career that spanned -15 years. He started his playing career at Kabwe Warriors and moved on to play for Diarora Football Club in South Africa. After which he returned to Zambia and played for three other teams before leaving Muzanza Police to join Livingstone Youth FA. While at the academy, he put himself forward to attend courses like the; Tackle Africa Level 1 coaching course, Swindon Town FC Community Foundation coaching education, FAZ D License and finally Red Cross First Aid before becoming a coach of the under 12 and 14 boys. He is committed to supporting younger players to achieve their dreams and rise to greater heights in whatever they do. He has been able to mentor and also be a role model to so many of the players in the academy.

Driver

Goalkeeper Coach