Frédéric Vinami Henri Gounongbe is a former professional footballer who played as a centre forward. A latecomer to professional football, he rose to prominence during a spell with Belgian Third Division side Woluwe-Zaventem, scoring 19 times in the 2011–12 season. His form attracted the attention of Belgian Pro League side Zulte Waregem and he joined the club on a two-year deal. However, he never appeared for the first team and after spending the 2012—13 season on loanat the club, he joined RWDM Brussels on a permanent deal. In 2014, he returned to the Pro League with Westerlo where he spent two seasons, before spending two seasons with Welsh club Cardiff City. After leaving Cardiff in 2018, he retired from football. Born in Belgium, Gounongbe chose to represent Benin at international level, making his debut in 2014.
Early and personal life
Gounongbe was born in Brussels to a Beninese father and a Belgian mother. He played tennis as a teenager and regarded the sport as his number one discipline. He later graduated from EPHEC University College with a bachelor's degree in international business.
Club career
Belgium
At the age of 16, he took up football after visiting a training session with a friend, training with local amateur sides in Auderghem before joining Belgian Fourth Division side Léopold. However, he did not become a full professional until the relatively late age of 23. He joined Woluwe-Zaventem in 2008 and attracted attention after scoring 35 goals in 71 matches for the club during a four-year spell, including 19 during the 2011–12 season in the Belgian Third Division B. His form attracted interest from several clubs and he eventually joined Belgian Pro League side Zulte Waregem on a two-year deal. The club's head scout, Toon Mertens described Gounongbe as "a powerful forward with flair to score. He has already scored 16 goals this season he is lively and quick for his size". He was named as a substitute on four occasions for the side but never made a first team appearance and eventually joined RWDM Brussels on loan in August 2012. He scored 9 goals in 28 appearances for the club but was released by Zulte Waregem on his return to the club at the end of the season, signing a permanent one-year deal with RWDM Brussels. He scored 11 times for the club during the 2013–14 season, despite being restricted to just 18 appearances due to a fibula injury. With the club experiencing financial difficulties, Gounongbe left the club at the end of the season following the end of his contract, joining newly promoted Belgian Pro League side Westerlo. He scored his first goal in the Pro League on 2 August 2014 during a 3–2 victory over Charleroi.
Cardiff City
On 1 July 2016, he joined Football League Championship side Cardiff City on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract at Westerlo, signing a two-year deal. He made his debut for the club in a 0–0 draw with Birmingham City on the opening day of the 2016–17 season. Gounongbe failed to score in nine games and was eventually dropped by new manager, Neil Warnock. He made three more substitute appearances before suffering an injury, that required surgery, ruling him out of the rest of the season. He made his return on 18 November, coming on a substitute against Brentford, playing two more games before suffering a groin injury, which ruled him out for several months. Gounongbe was released at the end of the 2017–18 season, following Cardiff's promotion to the Premier League. Following his departure, he decided to retire from football on doctor's advice due to a long-term injury.
