Gabon's World Cup hopes boosted by Bouanga hat-trick

The Los Angeles FC player became the leading scorer in the nine-group qualifying competition with eight goals - two more than Egypt and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah.

Yannis M'Bemba, who plays for Dutch second tier club Dordrecht, completed the rout with a goal after 89 minutes in the match played in the Mauritian village of Saint-Pierre.

Seychelles had to move the fixture to another Indian Ocean island nation as they do not have a stadium of an international standard.

Gabon have 18 points from seven matches in the 10-round mini-league, two points more than reigning African champions the Ivory Coast, who host Burundi in Abidjan on Friday.

The Gabonese outplayed the Seychellois despite lacking two injured strikers -- former Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Jim Allevinah.

Both hope to be fit for a crucial home fixture against the Ivorians in Franceville on Tuesday. The final two rounds are scheduled for October.

The group winners qualify for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The best four runners-up get a second chance via play-offs.