If elsewhere, there are the Karabatic, Beninese handball can boast of having a genius whose talent is unanimous in the ranks of this exciting discipline. Eric Ahossou. A born winger, one would say with the ball in hand.
Genius, virtuoso, Wizard, technician. Admirers, enthusiasts or simple spectators compete with superlatives to describe Éric Ahossou. Even opponents agree that he has a high handball IQ. Born the 18 Mars 1988 in Abomey, Éric Ahossou took his first steps in handball on the concrete courts of the plateau of central Benin under the direction of Angelo Adjagbénon then coach of Flambeau d'Abomey. Sous les ailes du “Minsi” (Maître) nickname of Coach Adjagbénon, Eric climbs the levels. His talent allows him to be upgraded. Lightning fast on the sides, the native of the royal city lets his vista speak against opponents during matches.
A meteoric rise
Like several young talents of his rank, Eric Ahossou's technical class allows him to get the Abomey-Cotonou one-way ticket, with good news as a bonus. A signing with a big team. He then arrives at Flowers, one of the references of Beninese handball, at the time, with Pelicans. L’intégration était parfaite pour le jeune ”Kiki”. The winger discovers a team made for him. He takes the opportunity to showcase his potential in front of the national elite. There is no more doubt. Le phénomène Eric a déplacé son royaume d’Abomey à Cotonou pour y régner en ”Ahôssou”, literal translation of King in Fongbé, a language from South Benin. In just a few months, the former Flambeau player rises in rank and honors his first selections in the Benin national team.
They speak of it with wonder
From Trophy Challenges to African club competitions, Eric left his mark and collected some individual awards from Qatar to Greece via Jaipur in India for the Challenge Trophy World Cup in 2011, where he finished Man of the Match against Australia in the first match. Nicknamed TGV for its speed of execution, Éric est qualifié de joueur de “grand poignet” à cause de sa capacité à mélanger les gardiens de but. To this palette, there is its technical quality and above all the extraordinary extension of the player combined with its long aerial suspension, which allows him to shoot threes, four stroke.
“It’s just a monument to this position, he who inherited everything from his mentor in this position : Sidikou Karimou, current president of the Beninese Handball Federation” exclaims coach Gildas Zounon, the miraculous in an ode about the player. Il le qualifie d’ailleurs de “magicien”. For him, the Flowers winger is one of “the very rare handball players who always guarantee spectators this spectacular side of any sport”. Same story with coach Daniel Codo. “Eric is a great player. He has experience and physically. He is on point. Better, he has a certain lucidity which allows him, facing the goalkeeper to place his balls accompanied by a power which prevents them from taking them” he suggested. For many observers, Éric Ahossou is one of the best in his position, otherwise he is the best
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