World Cup Qualifying: Gabon see off Seychelles with Bouanga hat-trick

Denis Bouanga scored a first half hat-trick as Gabon eased to a 4-0 victory over minnows Seychelles on Wednesday to kick off September’s 2026 World Cup qualifying fixtures from the African region.

The Los Angeles FC star opened his account inside five minutes and added two more strikes close to halftime as the Panthers quickly extinguished any hopes of a shock result from the part-timers at the Côte d’Or National Sports Comples in Mauritius.

With fellow star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang kept out due to a slight knock, Bouanga immediately made his presence known in the 4th minute with a first-time finish from Gabon debutant Teddy Averlant. Seychelles, who have now conceded 33 goals from 7 matches, posed little threat to the Gabonese defense in a routine victory for the Panthers.

Bouanga continued to terrorize the Seychellois defense with two more composed finishes, the second coming from Guelor Kanga’s assist in the 38th minute to make it 3-0 by halftime. Another debutant, defender Yannis M’Bemba, added one more goal late on when his header from a corner kick just snuck over the goal line.

Gabon now lead Group F by two points, in close competition with Ivory Coast for top spot and passage to the finals of the 2026 World Cup. The Ivorians are in action at home against Burundi on Friday before they travel to face Gabon in Franceville for a duel with major implications on September 9.

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