By John EGBOKHAN
The long wait is finally over as the much awaited kickoff of the 2010-2011 English Premier League season, parading the best of Nigerian and African exports, starts in a stylish way tomorrow with seven matches holding in seven centres while a further two with Eagles players likely to feature, hold on Sunday.

Tomorrow’s big kickoff won’t just be about football alone as plans are afoot to make it a stylish celebration of the best league in the world. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier League is a corporation in which the 20 member clubs act as shareholders. Seasons run from August to May, with teams playing 38 matches each, totalling 380 matches in the season

Rated as the most exciting and entertaining football league in the world, fans eagerly await the start of each Premier League season with baited breath given the cosmopolitan nature of England. The country boasts of being a good playground to players from all parts of the globe, a reality that is not lost on the diverse viewing fans, who see the league as a reflection of their cultural setting.

It has been quite a while since the blast of the final whistle to the 2009-2010 reason, which saw Manchester United winning a record 19th Premier League title and as the season starts tomorrow, they seem on course to retain their title, given the prevailing realities on ground.

Though they kickoff with an away fixture against West Brom, parading Nigeria’s Osaze Odemwingie on Sunday, they would closely tomorrow’s proceedings of the match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield and the tea-time game involving Newcastle and Arsenal. Having gone six seasons without a silverware, Arsene Wenger would hope that his charges can overcome their pre-season setbacks with a win against a Newcastle team, still grappling with the after-effects of the Joey Barton’ row over the club’s decision to free him.

Other games holding tomorrow have Blackburn hosting Wolves at Eiwood Park, Fulham entertain Aston Villa at Craven Cottage, newly promoted Queens Park Rangers are at home against Bolton while another new team in the big league, Norwich travel to play Wigan.
On Sunday, Coach Villas-Boas gets his first baptism of the EPL season when he leads out his troops to face Stoke away from home.

A day after, big-spending Manchester City host new kids on the block, Swansea in an evening fixture that brings an end to the first week of the new season.

After their setback in the Community Shield against Manchester United, Coach Roberto Mancini’s side are expected to bounce back with a win to convince doubters that their season would not just be another  almost there tale for the long-suffering fans.