Maher Kanzari coach of Esperance Tunis ©Ampe Rogerio/BackpagePix
Monday Feb 09, 2026. 11:03
Espérance Sportive de Tunis has parted ways with head coach Maher Kanzari following their CAF Champions League loss to Stade Malien at the Stade 26 Mars in Bamako on Sunday, leaving their Champions League hopes in the balance.
The Tunisian side fell 1-0 courtesy of a close range tap-in from Daouda Coulibaly in the 54th minute.
Kanzari took the reins at Esperance in March 2025, towards the back end of the 2024/25 season, helping the club claim its second straight and 34th league title.
He guided the club through a tough trip to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in June, where the Tunisian outfit managed one win and two losses, heading home after the group stage.
In the 2025/26 CAF Champions League, Espérance have struggled, managing one win, three draws and one loss, which came on Sunday. The club sits second in group D, five points behind group leaders Stade Malien and tied with Petro de Luanda on six points.
Heading into their final group match, Taraji will need the same results as Petro, who are behind by one goal on goal difference, or better in order to qualify for the knockout stage.
The club, which has historically dominated in the Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1, sits second on the league standings, two points behind Club Africain but with two games in hand.
By Nic Gleeson