Ike Shorunmu Ignores Crespo, Ortega, Names the Toughest Argentine Opponent He Faced

• Ike Shorunmu can't forget what Gabriel Batistuta did to the Super Eagles at the 2002 World Cup
• ‘Batigol’ rose up the highest to nod home the only goal of the game as Argentina won the tie 1-0
• The former Nigerian goalkeeper admitted the ex-striker was the toughest opponent he faced

Former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Ike Shorunmu has disclosed that the toughest striker he ever came face-to-face with was legendary Gabriel Batistuta.

'Batigol', as the lethal Argentine forward is fondly called, scored the only goal that helped the South Americans defeat Nigeria 1-0 at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Korea and Japan.

Shorunmu admitted that it was a herculean task for his defenders to cage the striker, adding that there was even a collision between himself and the forward.

The current Super Eagles goalkeeper trainer told Ebenezer Bajela of Punch Newspapers in an interview:

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“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. It was like a tug-of-war between him and my defenders and even though he is an Argentine, he played like an African.

Shorunmu then detailed facing the legendary Argentina at the 2002 World Cup tournament.

“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."

The former Super Eagles star explained he then had to borrow boots from Vincent Enyeama to continue the game, because he had no spares.

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“[Batistuta] was the toughest striker I ever faced, no doubt about it.”

Ike Shorunmu denies diabolic claims

Sports Brief earlier reported that former Nigerian international, Shorunmu disclosed there were misconceptions about the Stationery Stores squad of 1990.

The ex-goalkeeper was a member of the historic team based in Lagos until 1993, when he left to join Concord Football Club.

Football fans were stunned by the heroic performances of the team, and many alleged that the players adopted 'diabolical means' to succeed.