Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
MUNASHE Garananga’s arrival at Scottish Premiership football side Hibernian is the topical issue on the club’s website.
The 25-year-old Zimbabwe centreback completed a Deadline Day six-month loan move from Danish Superliga holders FC Copenhagen on Monday night, becoming Hibernian’s sixth signing of the January transfer window.
Garananga’s arrival has been greeted with both optimism and enthusiasm on the part of the club’s technical department.
The Warriors defender brings a lot of value at Hibbs, as he boasts several appearances in both the UEFA Champions and Europa League competitions.
Garananga has also been capped 17-times by Zimbabwe and made two appearances at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco last December.
Hibernian view Garananga as a fast rising defender with the potential of helping their cause in the Scottish Premiership.
Hibbs sit fifth on the current log standings, with 36 points from 24 matches and a massive 18 points behind log leaders Hearts.
However, they can still fancy their chances of qualifying for the UEFA Conference League, reserved for teams that finish third and fourth.
Hibernian are already out of the Scottish Cup whose winners represent Scottland in the Europa League.
Hibbs coach, David Gray, has been heaping praises on Garananga, describing him as a “quick, aggressive centre back who is comfortable in possession and playing out from the back”.
Simply calling him “Gara”, Gray looks like someone who has been tracking the Zimbabwean defender for a long time.
“I am pleased to add a player of Gara’s quality to the squad on Deadline Day.
“He’s got some fantastic attributes which will stand him in good stead for this league.
“I am looking forward to him joining the group and he is another strong addition to the team,” Gray was quoted on Hibernian’s website yesterday morning.
Hibernian Sporting Director Malky Mackay, a former Scottland player who also coached several clubs in the English Championship after retiring, has also been talking up Garananga’s arrival at Hibbs.
“We are delighted to be able to bring in an international player of Gara’s caliber from such an established club.
“I would like to thank Sporting Director, Nils Koppens, and all at FC Copenhagen who were involved in a very amicable and smooth deal.
“It was important for us that we brought another experienced player to the Club in this window, and we are all looking forward to watching him in action between now and the of the season,” Mackay said.
Garananga is set to get more game time at Hibernian which should be a plus for Zimbabwe.
Since returning from AFCON, Garananga played just 119 minutes in FC Copenhagen’s last five encounters.
The 25-year-old Prince Edward Academy product is slowly becoming a key figure for the Warriors who made a sixth appearance at AFCON last December.
Mathew Masinge