In general, the American press corps covering ETO -- whether for the wire services, individual newspapers or magazines, radio, or the GIs' paper, Stars and Stripes -- did an outstanding job.
Hughes, whose club gave up in their high-profile attempt to sign Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o - now likely to join Inter Milan in a swap deal with Zlatan Ibrahimovic - has a glut of forwards in his bloated, 57-strong squad.
With Spain's top club's all losing key players - Eto'o is expected to play for Cameroon against Rwanda - while La Liga is still in the balance.
BBC: SPORT | Football | African | Diarra puts Mali above Madrid
Anzhi already boasts the world's highest-paid player in the world after taxes (Samuel Eto'o) and the best-paid coach in the game (Guus Hiddink).
Last year's winner Cristiano Ronaldo came second, with Messi's teammates from Barcelona's historic 2008-09 treble-winning side -- Spain midfielders Xavi and Andres Iniesta plus Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o (now at Inter Milan) -- rounding out the top five.
But his new side produced a professional display against his former players and Chelsea fans were left with the enduring image of Mourinho doing his best to tone down his celebrations for Samuel Eto'o's second-half goal, which secured Inter's quarter-final place.
The 27-year-old hopes to emulate Eto'o, who was a prolific scorer during his time with the European champions.
Kraft made two stops, first to deny substitute Houssine Kharja and then to parry Thiago Motta's point-blank header, before Eto'o's goalbound effort was deflected just wide.
While the visitors continued to play the prettier football, Inter's defence proved typically durable and the Italians created another chance when Kraft made a terrific one-handed save to deny Eto'o from 12 yards.
The European champions jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after Cameroon striker Eto'o chipped a pass to forward Goran Pandev who opened the scoring in the 13th minute.
Yet Eto'o's hard work in pre-season won over the legendary Barca midfielder, who has been rewarded by the striker's incredible tally of 29 league goals in only 35 matches this season.
Where Eto'o and Diouf disappointed, Nigeria's Jay-Jay Okocha showed just why he has been a consistent international performer for over a decade - and was voted the tournament's best player.
Cameroon had several further chances, before snatching a second on the stroke of half-time with a shot from Real Madrid star Samuel Eto'o.
Mourinho's gestures from the sidelines made it clear he wanted Inter to exploit the areas around Chelsea left-back Yuri Zhirkov, but the Russian full-back twice rescued his side with perfect challenges on Eto'o and Pandev as they closed in on keeper Ross Turnbull.
Eto'o's fourth African crown takes him past other three-time winners Abedi Pele and George Weah.
Eto'o teed up Sneijder in acres of space on the left-hand side of the box and with only the keeper to beat but he dragged his near-post shot wide.
Samuel Eto'o had another quiet performance but came to life with two long-range efforts, one of which was venomous but straight at El Hadary, while the other was skied high and over.
In the space of two minutes after the hour, both Samuel Eto'o and Pandev tested Akinfeev before Milito struck with a superbly driven low-shot from 18 yards into the corner of the goal.
Mario Balotelli then struck the crossbar with a free-kick before the points were sealed in the final minute when Samuel Eto'o was left unmarked in the area to slide home a Sulley Muntari cross.
The Spain-based duo of Mali striker Frederic Kanoute (Sevilla) and Cameroon star Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona) have also made the cut.
Cameroonian Samuel Eto'o, who plays for Inter Milan, and Malian Seydou Keita, complete the five-man shortlist.
Eto'o, of course, does play in finals, starts them in fact and his 10th-minute goal made him the first African to score in two Champions League finals.
Barcelona, who have the same points as Real but lie behind them on the head-to-head tie break rule used in the Spanish league, and dent the hopes of Samuel Eto'o of notching up a third successive Spanish league triumph.
BBC: SPORT | Football | African | Diarra puts Mali above Madrid
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