It's probably true that Everton supporters want what is best for Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye, two of the club's most likable players. That extends to success for the duo's country, Senegal, in the on-going Africa Cup of Nations.
Their loss of those two players over the last few weeks has certainly hamstrung the club, and the results have followed suit, with Everton having won just a single match (away to Nottingham Forest) since they departed for Morocco.
Well, now that period will extend until nearly the end of the tournament, as Senegal's 1-0 win over Mali secured their place in the semifinal, which means they'll either win and advance to the final on January 18 or lose and play in the bronze medal match the day before.
It was a goal from Ndiaye in the 27th minute that put the Lions of Teranga into the semis, and a red card at the end of the first half from Mali's Yves Bissouma all but sealed the victory. The winger played 75 minutes in the match, while Gana went the full 90 in Senegal's midfield.
That means two more games without Ndiaye, one of Everton's best attacking players, and Gana, David Moyes' ideal option as a defensive midfielder in front of the back line.
In truth, it's only one additional game, as even a loss today would not have given the pair ample time to return to England and be ready for tomorrow's FA Cup contest against Sunderland. So all this win does is ensure that the trip to Villa Park will also be without the services of the Senegalese duo, a match that takes place on the same day as the AFCON final.
The hope will be that both Ndiaye and Gana will be able to return to Merseyside as early as January 19 or 20, allowing them to return to training to prepare for the Leeds match at Hill Dickinson on January 26, a Monday night contest that grants them more time to get ready after the tournament and travel.
The thinking was always that Senegal would do well in this tournament, so Everton will have assumed that both players would be missing for the whole of the period. But the recent run of injuries and suspensions has left the club even thinner, so Everton will be ready to open both back with open arms as soon as possible.