Farewell Ili... give us the PERFECT leaving gift

MOYES CALLS ON HIS MAGIC MAN TO HIT THE HEIGHTS BEFORE HEADING OFF TO AFCON

- By CHRIS BEESLEY

DAVID Moyes is hoping that Iliman Ndiaye can sign off on a high for Everton at Chelsea today before going to represent Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations.

With the tournament in Morocco starting on December 21, the Blues boss confirmed that, along with all other participants, Ndiaye and international teammate Idrissa Gueye who is eligible again after serving a three-match ban will be unavailable after this weekend.

Senegal will play their group games in Tangier on December 23 (Botswana), December 27 (DR Congo) and Benin (December 30), with the final in Rabat not taking place until January 18.

Ndiaye, who scored Everton's last two goals at Goodison Park in the 2-0 win over Southampton on May 18, finished the 2024/25 season as their top scorer on 11 goals and after netting their first goal at Hill Dickinson Stadium as they defeated Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 on August 24, he is currently joint top scorer on four alongside Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

Although the former Olympique Marseille player set up Thierno Barry for his first goal in a royal blue jersey in the 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest last Saturday, Moyes is hoping he can get back on the scoresheet himself at Stamford Bridge a ground where Everton haven't won in the Premier League for over 31 years.

Asked if he thought Ndiaye will be looking to go off on a high now before AFCON, given he’s been quiet the last couple of weeks, Moyes said: “He has, aye, I agree.