CAIRO -- Abdelhamid Bassiouny scored a hat-trick in a five-minute burst as Egypt routed Namibia 8-2 in a World Cup qualifying match on Friday, keeping alive their slim hopes of reaching the 2002 finals in South Korea and Japan.

Egypt have 12 points in African group C, three points behind group leaders Morocco who need only one point from their remaining game to ensure they qualify for the finals.

Tarek El Said launched Egypt's goal bonanza, scoring in the fourth minute of the game at the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria.

Mohammed Barakat added the second goal in the 37th minute before Bassiouny scored his hat-trick with goals in the 39th, 42nd and 44th minutes to take Egypt to a 5-0 halftime lead.

The Namibians then scored twice in the second half with goals from Mogale Naruseb (52nd minute) and Erastus Gariseb (69th) before Barakat scored Egypt's sixth in the 72nd minute.

Mohammed Abougreisha (77th minute) and Abdelsattar Sabry (87th) completed the rout for the home side.

Morocco can clinch qualification with a draw against third-placed Senegal in Dakar on Saturday, while Egypt play their final match on July 21 against Algeria in Annaba.