Ike Shorunmu: Nigeria legendary goalkeeper names toughest striker ever faced

By Saheed Afolabi

Former Nigeria International, Ike Shorunmu has revealed Gabriel Batistuta as the toughest striker he ever faced during his career.

The legendary goalkeeper, who spoke during an interview with The Punch, said it’s always a tug of war between him and Batistuta and first played against him in 1997 in a preseason match.

The 55 year old former goalkeeper had 36 caps for Nigeria, added that the Argentine legend once tore his boot and Vincent Enyeama had to come to his rescue.

“It was definitely Gabriel Batistuta. I first came face to face with him when I was with FC Zurich in 1997 when we went for pre-season in Italy and we played against Fiorentina,” Shorunmu told media.

“It was like a tug-of-war between him and my defenders and even though he is an Argentine he played like an African. Again, I faced him at the World Cup in 2002 in Korea.

“The first 20 minutes of that game was tough and we had a collision and my boot got torn. I had 60 per cent advantage of getting to the ball first, but all of a sudden, I don’t know how it happened, Batistuta got there before me and I rushed out and tore my boot.

“I had to collect Vincent Enyeama’s boots to continue the game because I didn’t have extra boots. He was the toughest striker I ever faced, no doubt about it.”