Cardiff City Striker Makes National League Switch
Cardiff City striker Chanka Zimba has completed a loan move to National League side Maidenhead United, in a deal that was announced an hour before their clash with Oxford City, as confirmed via a statement on the club’s website.
The 21-year-old spent last season on loan in League Two, but has now dropped down a division in order to gain more match fitness and improve his consistency in the final third during the current campaign.
Who is Chanka Zimba?
Zimba began his youth career with Blackburn Rovers, before making the switch to Cardiff City in 2020. He has since had loan spells with both Northampton Town and Newport County in League Two, making 25 appearances but scoring just once.
The forward is extremely versatile, with the ability to feature in midfield or defence and will add plenty of hunger and desire into Maidenhead’s side for the duration of his loan spell.
A positive start
Despite being early favourites for the drop, Maidenhead United have had a strong start to the National League season, earning eight points from their opening five matches and sitting just outside of the play-off places. Zimba made his debut for Maidenhead against Oxford City this afternoon, with the forward over-seeing a goalless draw against Oxford City.
Meanwhile, Zimba’s parent club Cardiff began the campaign with an excellent point against Leeds United, but lost two on the bounce in the Championship, slipping down the standings. However, they beat Sheffield Wednesday this afternoon to climb up to 17th in the table.
Writer’s View
Now, it isn’t unusual to see players drop down division’s, but I am shocked that Zimba has ended up in the National League. For a player with the versatile capabilities that he possesses, I am surprised another League Two side wasn’t able to take a punt on him.
However, I do believe this is a great signing for Maidenhead, with Zimba having a challenge on his hands to get ahead of the likes of Reece Smith and Shawn McCoulsky in the pecking order.
