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, bringing Kanzari’s tenure to an abrupt end amid growing pressure over inconsistent performances and unconvincing results in continental competition.
In a brief statement released on the club’s official social media platforms, Espérance president Hamdi Meddeb announced the termination of the contractual relationship with the Tunisian coach, adding that a new technical team would be unveiled in the coming days.
The loss in Bamako left Espérance’s qualification for the CAF Champions League quarter-finals hanging in the balance ahead of the final round of group matches, intensifying scrutiny of the team’s recent form.
Kanzari, who assumed the role in March 2025 after replacing Romanian coach Laurențiu Reghecampf, struggled to instil consistency in a squad widely expected to mount a strong challenge for continental honours.
Although Espérance remain in contention, critics have highlighted a decline in technical performance and a lack of tactical stability under his leadership.
The defeat to Stade Malien proved decisive, delaying the club’s progression to the knockout stages and increasing pressure on its technical direction at a critical point in the season.
Espérance’s management now faces the urgent task of steadying the ship ahead of a decisive final group match against Petro Atlético of Angola, a fixture that will determine their Champions League fate.
Africa’s most successful club with four CAF Champions League titles, Espérance, continues to carry lofty expectations, with supporters now looking to the incoming coach to restore momentum and guide the team deep into the competition.