David Moyes will be delighted by what Everton’s Idrissa Gana Gueye has done at AFCON

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It will not be long now until Everton have their two AFCON players Idrissa Gana Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye back at the club.

Senegal were always expected to go far in the tournament, and that has proven to be the case.

The Lions of Teranga have reached the semi-final stage, and tonight they face Egypt for a place in the final against either Morocco or Nigeria.

Will Idrissa Gana Gueye walk back into Everton’s starting XI after AFCON? 🤨

Another strong display from the Senegalese veteran! 💪

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Senegal have looked strong so far, winning all their games barring the one in the group stage against DR Congo, which finished 1-1.

And Everton’s players have both given good accounts of themselves en route to the semi-final.

And some impressive statistics have emerged about Idrissa Gana Gueye ahead of tonight’s semi-final.

• READ MORE: How Senegalese media reacted to Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye’s first AFCON display

Everton ace Idrissa Gana Gueye has shone at AFCON

It won’t be long now until Everton get Gueye and Ndiaye back.

That said, even if Senegal lose tonight, the pair will not head back to Finch Farm straight away, as there is still a third-place play-off, which takes place on Saturday.

So neither would feature against Aston Villa at the weekend.

It will be a welcome boost when they do both return though, and it seems Gueye will be coming back in fine fettle.

According to Opta Joe, the Everton ace is currently leading three categories at the tournament.

He’s had the most touches of any player with 420. He has also completed the most passes in the opposition half with 208.

And Gueye has also made the most line-breaking passes at AFCON so far, doing so 81 times.

• READ MORE: Idrissa Gueye says he’s still really good friends with player who Everton let go

Gueye return for Everton will be a boost

These statistics make for impressive reading.

We tend to associate Gueye with things like pressing and ball-winning. But for Senegal he has clearly been helping to dictate play.

He’s been heavily involved, but isn’t just retaining the ball and playing safe – it seems he’s actively been looking to play forwards. The line-breaking stat is quietly impressive.

Hopefully we can see a bit more of that for Everton when he returns.

It will be good to see him back alongside James Garner, and with Ndiaye also back in the team, all of a sudden things look a lot more positive for Everton.