Gabon boosted their hopes of a first appearance at the Fifa World Cup by moving top of their qualifying group for the 2026 finals with a 4-0 away win over Seychelles.

Denis Bouanga scored a first-half hat-trick as the Panthers ran riot in neutral St Pierre, Mauritius.

The LA FC forward needed less than four minutes to open the scoring after being left unmarked seven yards out to convert Teddy Averlant's cross from the right.

The West Africans doubled their lead in the 34th minute when Bouanga swept home a cutback, and Bouanga completed his treble seven minutes before the break by firing in a volley from 10 yards out.

The tempo of the game dropped in the second half but Yannis M'Bemba got Gabon's fourth goal when his header squeezed over the line in the 89th minute.

Seychelles are the lowest-ranked African nation, at 203rd in the world, and have never won a World Cup qualifier.

Gabon are two points clear of Ivory Coast at the top of Group F, having played one game more than the reigning continental champions.

The Elephants will regain top spot if they beat Burundi at home on Friday (19:00 GMT).

Gabon will then host the Ivorians on Tuesday in a match that is likely to decide who wins the group and qualifies automatically for the 2026 finals.