Tunisian giants Espérance Sportive de Tunis have dismissed head coach Maher Kanzari following their 1-0 defeat away to Stade Malien in the CAF Champions League.
The club confirmed the decision on Sunday evening, 8 February, bringing an abrupt end to Kanzari’s tenure after mounting pressure over inconsistent performances and results in continental competition.
In a brief statement published on the club’s official social media platforms, Espérance president Hamdi Meddeb announced that the contractual relationship with the Tunisian coach had been terminated, adding that a new technical team would be unveiled in the coming days.
The loss in Bamako left Espérance’s qualification for the Champions League quarter-finals unresolved heading into the final round of group matches, intensifying scrutiny of the team’s recent form.
Kanzari, who took charge in March 2025 after replacing Romanian coach Laurentiu Reghecampf, struggled to impose consistency on a squad expected to challenge strongly for continental honours.
While Espérance remain in contention, critics have pointed to a decline in the team’s technical performance and a lack of tactical stability under his leadership.
The defeat to Stade Malien proved decisive, as it delayed Espérance’s progression to the knockout stages and increased pressure on the club’s technical direction at a crucial point in the season.
Espérance’s management now faces an urgent task to steady the ship ahead of their decisive final group match against Petro Atlético of Angola, a fixture that will determine their Champions League fate.
The Tunisian champions are Africa’s most successful club, with four Champions League titles, and expectations remain high among supporters who will now look to the incoming coach to restore momentum and guide the team deep into the competition.
SOURCE: CAF ONLINE
