Lagos — NATIONAL Under-17 team, Golden Eaglets, once again could not redeem the country's pride at the ongoing UEFA/CAF Meridian Cup as they lost 0-2 to France.

Although the coach Godwin Izilein tutored lads put up a spirited battle to at least register a goal in the championship, they fell to the superior technical play of the French team.

The Eaglets who had earlier lost to European champions, Portugal 0-1 and host Turkey 0-4 in their first and second matches, respectively, will meet Spain on Friday, February 11 for their last match.

It has been generally a very bad outing for the African teams as only Egypt have been able to pick a point among the four teams. The young Egyptians held Portugal to a goalless draw in their second game. They had lost their first match 2-3 to Turkey. However, they were beaten 1-0 by Spain yesterday.

So far, Europe has an unassailable 34 points lead ahead of their African opponent who has only one point.

Meanwhile, the gala match between Tunisia and Turkey earlier scheduled to hold at the Atalurk Stadium yesterday could not hold due to heavy snow fall. It will hold on a later date.