African champions Esperance of Tunisia have axed Swiss tactician Michel Decastel due to the team's poor performance in recent Tunisian league matches, the club announced Friday. The Tunisian side's management hired football director El-Arabi El-Zawawi to lead the team until Decastel's successor is signed. Decastel's departure was expected to be officially announced on Sunday after the team lost to rival Benzerti in the Tunisian league, but pressure by fans pushed the team's management to take the decision on Friday. Esperance lost to Club Sportif Sfaxien 1-0 in the Tunisian league last Wednesday. Esperance was also held to a draw in three matches this month, which caused team supporters to lose patience with Morocco's Wydad Casablanca coach. The Tunisian giants booked their place in the groups stage of the CAF Champions League after smashing foes Dynamos of Zimbabwe 7-1 on aggregate in the 16th round of the championship. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter: @AO Sports)