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Coach Ephraim Mashaba packed plenty of bags for the African Cup of Nations because hes certain his South Africa team will go all the way to the final — and he needs to make sure he has enough clothes.Were confident about it (making the final), Mashaba said on Wednesday before his squad departed South Africa. Alone, Ive got six bags.Bafana Bafanas players have prepared for a long stay in Equatorial Guinea, Mashaba said. To giggles, he told reporters and officials at Johannesburgs OR Tambo airport not to expect the team back home until Feb. 10, two days after the final.And stashed in one of those bags was an outfit for a party after the tournament, he said.Even if Mashaba truly believes South Africa will pack a punch at the African Cup, recent history doesnt back up his prediction.South Africa didnt get out of its group at the Cup of Nations in 2004, 2006 and 2008, and didnt qualify at all in 2010 and 2012. It lost in the quarterfinals in 2013 as host.But the team has shown signs of a turnaround since Mashaba — who is known at home by his nickname Shakes — took over last year. South Africa was impressive in qualifying this time and unbeaten in the decisive group stage, eliminating defending champion Nigeria.Thats given South Africans perhaps their most positive outlook for a Cup of Nations since the country won the title in 1996 and made the final two years later.But South Africas challenge in 2015 is significant. It plays top-ranked African team Algeria first up in Equatorial Guinea, then Senegal and Ghana in by far the toughest group.All the teams are equal, the bullish Mashaba said. When they say the group of death, it gives us motivation. It will be good to beat the No. 1 team on the continent.I have told the players not to fear anybody because we have no reason to feel inferior.Mashabas squad is mainly home-based, with a smattering of overseas players like England-based midfielder Dean Furman and forward Tokelo Rantie. The big surprise was Mashabas decision to leave Ajax midfielder Thulani Serero out of his final 23.Mostly, Mashaba has restored confidence after the team was called a bunch of unbearable, useless individuals a year ago by South Africa sports minister Fikile Mbalula following its early exit from the lower-level African Nations Championship.On Wednesday, Mbalula wore a yellow and green team jersey and saw the players off at OR Tambo airport, backing them to succeed this time.South Africas squad flies to Gabon for warm-up games against Cameroon and Gabon before the African Cup.___Gerald Imray is on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GeraldImrayAP Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys . Ending a nine-game losing streak? That gave the Milwaukee Bucks veteran forward a reason to smile. Cheap Nashville Predators Jerseys . So heres what I do when I want to get into the baseball mood—I delve into "The Baseball Project". http://www.adidaspredatorsjerseys.com/. Former San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds made his longshot request of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit upheld Bonds conviction in September. Wholesale Predators Jerseys . Jimmy Howard made 44 saves and Henrik Zetterberg scored two goals, leading the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Saturday night. Cheap Predators Jerseys Authentic . Olsen, who is 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds, can play either centre or guard. The 25-year-old Olsen played 16 games and made four starts in 2012 with the New Orleans Saints.BOSTON -- Mike Carp spent more than a month on the disabled list with a broken right foot. He watched the Boston Red Sox struggle, wishing he could contribute. Sometimes, he couldnt bear to watch. "Some of the nights, I almost had to turn the TV off in those situations because you cant be there to help," Carp said. "Its tough being on the DL with a boot on my foot." He was smiling Thursday after delivering a pinch-hit single in the 10th inning that gave the Red Sox a 4-3 win, their second consecutive walk-off victory over the Chicago White Sox. "Happy times," said Carp, who was on the disabled list from June 2 until being activated Monday. There havent been many of those this season for the Red Sox, the defending World Series champions who are in last place in the AL East. With two straight wins to end their 3-7 homestand, they head to Houston for a three-game series with a chance to build some momentum going into the All-Star break. "Hopefully itll get us in a little bit of a rhythm, comfort level," said left-hander Jon Lester, who allowed one run and struck out 12 in seven innings. "A win like today is huge." Lester gave up seven hits and no walks. In his last six starts, hes 3-0 with a 1.01 ERA, 39 strikeouts, six walks and 33 hits allowed in 44 2-3 innings. He extended his streak to 45 innings without giving up a homer. But fellow All-Star Koji Uehara allowed a tying, two-run homer in the ninth to pinch-hitter Conor Gillaspie -- his third long ball in three games and fourth of the season. "Hes been hotter than all get-out lately," teammate Adam Eaton said. David Ortiz had a two-run double that gave the Red Sox a 3-1 lead in the sixth after Jose Quintana retired Bostons first 15 batters. "I really wanted to win this game because (Lesters) a really good pitcher," said Quintana, whose scoreless streak ended at 20 2-3 innings, "but I had one bad inning in the sixth." Pinch-hitter Daniel Nava started the winning rally with a leadoff walk and went to second on a sacrifice by Mookie Betts. Stephen Drew, in an 0-for-15 slump, was intentionally walked by Ronald Belisario (3-6). Carp, who had been 0 for 2 as a pinch hitter in the series, then battedd for David Ross and lined a single between shortstop and third base.dddddddddddd Nava scored the winning run for the second consecutive game, and Carp was mobbed by teammates rushing out of the dugout. In Bostons 5-4 comeback victory Wednesday night, Nava doubled in Betts for the tying run in the ninth and scored on Brock Holts single. Chicago had runners at first and third with two outs in the 10th, but Alexei Ramirez was retired on a grounder to pitcher Andrew Miller (3-5). Ramirez led off the ninth with an infield single -- after first base umpire Cory Blasers out call was reversed on replay. Uehara then struck out Paul Konerko before Gillaspie, batting for Moises Sierra, homered. Lester trailed 1-0 after three batters. Eaton singled, Gordon Beckham struck out and Jose Abreu hit an RBI double over a leaping Jonny Gomes in left field. Lester then struck out Dayan Viciedo. Lester fanned two batters in each of the first five innings and one each in the sixth and seventh before being replaced by Junichi Tazawa, who pitched a perfect eighth. Uehara failed to hold the lead, though, his second blown save in 20 chances this season. Boston went ahead in the sixth when the first three batters reached base on full counts. Drew became Bostons first runner with a walk and went to second on a walk to Ross. Jackie Bradley Jr. attempted to bunt on the first four pitches, then took a ball to bring the count to 3-2. He grounded a single to right field for Bostons first hit, driving in Drew with the tying run. The next two batters were retired before Ortizs two-run double. NOTES: Chicago lost its second straight game after winning its previous three. ... Boston scored in just five innings during the four-game series. ... Chicago LHP Chris Sale won the online fan vote for the final spot on the AL All-Star team, his third straight selection. "No matter, I think, how many you make, you still get excited about it," he said. ... The Red Sox send John Lackey (9-6) to the mound against Scott Feldman (4-5) in the opener of a three-game series at Houston on Friday night. The White Sox begin a three-game series at Cleveland with Hector Noesi (3-6) pitching against Corey Kluber (8-6) of the Indians. ' ' '