# 2018–19 Girabola

The 2018–19 Girabola was the 41st season of top-tier football in Angola. The season was held from 27 October 2018 to 19 May 2019.
The league was contested by 16 teams and the bottom three teams were relegated to the 2020 Provincial stages.
In the 13th round match between Saurimo FC and ASA, the home team goal-keeper Anselmo, felt confident enough to leave his goal unguarded and shoot a free kick that had been awarded for his team, 25 minutes into the game. His confidence paid off as he scored the only goal in the home team's 1-0 win, something unheard of in Angolan football.

## Teams

A total of 16 teams contested the league, including 13 sides from the 2018 season and three promoted from the 2018 Segundona - ASA, Saurimo FC (ex-Bikuku FC) and Santa Rita de Cássia.
On the other hand, Domant FC, J.G.M. and Primeiro de Maio were the last three teams of the 2018 season and played in their respective provincial leagues seeking qualification for the 2019–20 2nd division qualifiers. Clube Desportivo Primeiro de Agosto were the defending champions from the 2018 season.

## Changes from 2018 season

Relegated: Domant FC, J.G.M., Primeiro de Maio
Promoted: ASA, Saurimo FC (ex-Bikuku FC), Santa Rita de Cássia

## FAF penalties

* As a result of a match-fixing investigation launched by the Angolan Football Federation (FAF) on the 17th round match between Desportivo da Huila and 1º de Agosto, each team forfeited 3 points and a $5,000 fine.
* Kabuscorp do Palanca forfeited 9 points, for failing to address payment claims by a total 6 former employees (including players, technical and medical staff), following a 15-day deadline stipulated by FAF.
* Bravos do Maquis forfeited 3 points, for failing to address payment claims by former player Silvino Assete, following a 15-day deadline stipulated by FAF.

## FIFA penalty

The Angolan Football Federation was instructed by FIFA to relegate Kabuscorp for failing to meet payment claims by former player Rivaldo. Even though the debt has reportedly been paid in full, Kabuscorp failed to pay within the established deadline. The club faced a second relegation penalty regarding their dispute with TP Mazembe

## Stadiums and locations

| Team | Home city | Stadium | Capacity | 2018 season |
| Académica do Lobito | Lobito | Estádio do Buraco | 15,000 | 5th in Girabola |
| ASA | Luanda | Estádio dos Coqueiros | 12,000 | 1st in Segundona |
| Bravos do Maquis | Luena | Estádio Mundunduleno | 4,300 | 8th in Girabola |
| Cuando Cubango FC | Kuito | Estádio dos Eucaliptos | 3,300 | 11th in Girabola |
| Desportivo da Huíla | Lubango | Estádio do Ferroviário da Huíla | 25,000 | 6th in Girabola |
| Interclube | Luanda | Estádio 22 de Junho | 7,000 | 3rd in Girabola |
| Kabuscorp | Luanda | Estádio dos Coqueiros | 12,000 | 9th in Girabola |
| Petro de Luanda | Luanda | Estádio 11 de Novembro | 50,000 | 2nd in Girabola |
| Primeiro de Agosto | Luanda | Estádio 11 de Novembro | 50,000 | Girabola Champions |
| Progresso do Sambizanga | Luanda | Estádio dos Coqueiros | 12,000 | 13th in Girabola |
| Recreativo da Caála | Caála | Estádio Mártires da Canhala | 8,000 | 12th in Girabola |
| Recreativo do Libolo | Calulo | Estádio Municipal | 5,000 | 4th in Girabola |
| Sagrada Esperança | Dundo | Estádio Sagrada Esperança | 8,000 | 7th in Girabola |
| Santa Rita de Cássia | Uíge | Estádio 4 de Janeiro | 12,000 | 3rd in Segundona |
| Saurimo FC | Saurimo | Estádio das Mangueiras | 7,500 | 2nd in Segundona |
| Sporting de Cabinda | Cabinda | Estádio do Tafe | 9,000 | 10th in Girabola |
* ↑ In major/risky matches such as those involving 1º de Agosto, Petro de Luanda and Kabuscorp, they play at the Estádio de Ombaka as their home court.
* ↑ Cuando Cubango FC played their home games in the city of Kuito as their home court in Menongue is undergoing some repairs after being ruled unfit by a FAF inspection.
* ↑ Formerly Bikuku FC

## League table

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
| 1 | Primeiro de Agosto (C) | 30 | 20 | 10 | 0 | 51 | 9 | +42 | 67 | Qualification for Champions League |
| 2 | Petro de Luanda | 30 | 19 | 7 | 4 | 40 | 15 | +25 | 64 | Qualification for Champions League |
| 3 | Desportivo da Huíla | 30 | 15 | 8 | 7 | 36 | 25 | +11 | 50 | |
| 4 | Kabuscorp (R) | 30 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 35 | 26 | +9 | 49 | Relegation to Provincial stages |
| 5 | Interclube | 30 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 27 | 22 | +5 | 44 | |
| 6 | Sagrada Esperança | 30 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 31 | 26 | +5 | 41 | |
| 7 | Progresso do Sambizanga | 30 | 9 | 13 | 8 | 33 | 29 | +4 | 40 | |
| 8 | Recreativo do Libolo | 30 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 31 | 30 | +1 | 39 | |
| 9 | Recreativo da Caála | 30 | 8 | 13 | 9 | 30 | 34 | −4 | 37 | |
| 10 | Bravos do Maquis | 30 | 7 | 15 | 8 | 28 | 28 | 0 | 33 | |
| 11 | Santa Rita de Cássia | 30 | 8 | 8 | 14 | 32 | 41 | −9 | 32 | |
| 12 | Académica do Lobito | 30 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 23 | 29 | −6 | 31 | |
| 13 | Sporting de Cabinda | 30 | 6 | 12 | 12 | 30 | 43 | −13 | 30 | |
| 14 | Cuando Cubango FC | 30 | 6 | 8 | 16 | 30 | 51 | −21 | 26 | |
| 15 | ASA (R) | 30 | 5 | 11 | 14 | 26 | 48 | −22 | 26 | Relegation to Provincial stages |
| 16 | Saurimo FC (R) | 30 | 5 | 6 | 19 | 20 | 47 | −27 | 21 | Relegation to Provincial stages |
* ↑ No teams enter the Confederation Cup. Desportivo da Huíla are Angola Cup runners-up (Primeiro de Agosto are cup winners) but declined to participate, while Kabuscorp were relegated and thus not eligible.
* 1 2 Primeiro de Agosto and Desportivo da Huíla forfeited 3 points on suspicion of match-fixing on the 17th round match.
* ↑ Kabuscorp had forfeited 9 points as a result of payment default. On appeal, after the plaintiffs dropped their claims, all points were restored. Regarding their dispute with former player Rivaldo, the club was ordered to be relegated by FIFA for failing to pay the outstanding debt within the established deadline.
* ↑ Bravos do Maquis forfeited 3 points as a result of payment default.
* ↑ Cuando Cubango FC were originally relegated, but remained in Girabola due to Kabuscorp's relegation.
* 1 2 Head-to-head results: C.Cubango 2, ASA 1; ASA 2 C.Cubango 2.

## Results

| Home \ Away | ACA | ASA | BMQ | CCU | DHL | INT | KAB | PET | PRI | PRO | RCA | RLB | SAG | SAU | SCC | SRC |
| Académica do Lobito | — | 2–1 | 0–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–0 | 0–1 | 1–2 | 0–1 | 0–2 | 0–0 | 1–1 | 0–0 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 1–1 |
| ASA | 0–0 | — | 2–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–1 | 1–2 | 0–0 | 0–3 | 0–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–0 | 3–1 | 2–1 |
| Bravos do Maquis | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 2–2 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 0–0 | 1–1 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 1–2 | 3–0 | 1–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–2 |
| Cuando Cubango FC | 1–2 | 2–1 | 2–1 | — | 0–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–1 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–4 |
| Desportivo da Huíla | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | — | 1–0 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 3–3 | 0–0 | 2–0 | 1–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 0–1 | 0–0 |
| Interclube | 1–0 | 2–0 | 1–0 | 1–2 | 1–1 | — | 1–0 | 0–1 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 1–1 | 1–0 | 1–0 | 1–0 | 0–0 | 2–2 |
| Kabuscorp | 3–1 | 0–1 | 0–0 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 2–1 | — | 1–4 | 0–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–0 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 3–1 | 0–0 |
| Petro de Luanda | 1–0 | 3–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–0 | 1–0 | 2–0 | — | 0–0 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 1–0 | 1–0 | 3–1 |
| Primeiro de Agosto | 1–0 | 4–0 | 3–0 | 1–0 | 2–0 | 0–0 | 2–0 | 1–0 | — | 0–0 | 1–0 | 3–0 | 3–3 | 2–0 | 1–0 | 5–0 |
| Progresso do Sambizanga | 3–0 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–1 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 0–3 | — | 3–1 | 1–0 | 0–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–0 |
| Recreativo da Caála | 1–0 | 0–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | — | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 1–0 |
| Recreativo do Libolo | 3–0 | 2–1 | 1–0 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 2–1 | 2–0 | — | 1–1 | 2–1 | 3–0 | 2–0 |
| Sagrada Esperança | 0–0 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 0–1 | 0–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–0 | 1–2 | — | 3–0 | 0–1 | 1–0 |
| Saurimo FC | 1–1 | 1–0 | 0–1 | 0–1 | 2–1 | 1–0 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–3 | — | 0–1 | 3–2 |
| Sporting de Cabinda | 1–1 | 6–2 | 0–0 | 3–1 | 0–1 | 1–3 | 0–0 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 0–3 | 2–2 | 0–0 | 1–0 | 1–1 | — | 2–2 |
| Santa Rita de Cássia | 1–0 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 1–0 | 0–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–1 | 0–1 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 1–0 | 1–2 | 1–0 | 3–2 | — |
* ↑ Caála was awarded a 3–0 win
* ↑ Libolo was awarded a 3–0 win
* ↑ Sagrada was awarded a 3–0 win
* ↑ Santa Rita was awarded a 3–0 win

### Positions by round

| Team ╲ Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| 1º de Agosto | 11 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Petro de Luanda | 11 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Desportivo da Huíla | 3 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Kabuscorp | 3 | 4 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Interclube | 11 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Sagrada Esperança | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 6 |
| Progresso | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 |
| Recreativo do Libolo | 11 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Recreativo da Caála | 15 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Bravos do Maquis | 3 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Santa Rita | 1 | 7 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 |
| Sporting de Cabinda | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 10 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 12 |
| Académica do Lobito | 1 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 13 | 9 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 |
| Cuando Cubango FC | 3 | 12 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
| ASA | 3 | 10 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 |
| Saurimo FC | 3 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
* Leader (2019–20 CAF Champions League)
* Runner-up (2019–20 CAF Champions League)
* 3rd place (2019–20 CAF Confederation Cup)
* Relegation to 2020 Provincial stages

### Clubs season progress

| Team ╲ Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| Académica Lobito | W | L | D | D | L | L | W | L | W | L | W | L | L | L | D | D | D | D | L | D | L | L | W | D | D | W | L | D | L | W |
| ASA | D | D | L | W | L | D | L | W | L | D | L | D | L | W | D | L | W | L | L | L | L | D | D | D | L | D | L | W | L | D |
| Bravos do Maquis | D | D | W | D | D | W | D | W | D | L | D | D | D | D | D | L | W | D | D | L | D | W | W | W | L | L | L | L | D | L |
| Cuando Cubango FC | D | L | L | W | D | L | W | D | L | L | L | D | D | L | L | L | L | W | W | L | D | D | L | L | D | L | W | L | L | W |
| Desportivo da Huíla | D | L | W | D | D | D | W | W | W | W | W | W | W | L | L | D | L | W | W | W | D | L | D | W | W | L | W | L | D | W |
| Interclube | D | L | W | D | W | D | L | D | D | L | L | D | D | W | D | D | W | L | L | W | D | W | W | W | L | W | D | W | L | W |
| Kabuscorp | D | W | L | L | D | W | W | W | L | W | D | W | W | D | L | W | L | W | W | D | W | D | D | L | W | W | D | D | D | L |
| Petro de Luanda | D | W | D | W | W | L | W | W | D | W | W | W | L | W | D | W | W | L | W | D | D | W | W | W | L | W | W | W | W | D |
| 1º de Agosto | D | W | W | W | W | D | D | D | W | W | D | D | W | W | W | D | D | W | W | W | W | W | D | W | W | W | D | W | W | W |
| Progresso | D | W | W | D | D | D | L | D | L | D | W | W | D | W | L | W | D | D | L | D | L | D | L | D | W | L | W | W | L | D |
| Recreativo da Caála | W | L | L | D | L | D | W | W | W | L | L | D | D | L | D | W | D | D | L | W | D | D | W | L | L | D | D | W | D | D |
| Recreativo do Libolo | D | L | W | D | D | L | D | L | D | L | W | L | L | W | W | W | D | W | W | W | L | D | L | L | L | D | W | D | W | L |
| Sagrada Esperança | D | W | D | D | D | W | L | L | W | D | D | L | L | W | D | W | W | W | L | D | L | W | L | W | D | L | D | D | W | L |
| Saurimo FC | D | W | L | L | L | L | D | L | D | L | W | L | W | L | D | L | L | L | D | D | L | L | L | L | W | L | L | L | W | L |
| Sporting de Cabinda | L | L | D | L | W | W | W | D | L | D | D | L | D | L | D | D | D | D | L | D | D | D | W | L | L | L | L | W | W | L |
| Santa Rita | L | W | L | L | D | D | L | L | W | W | L | W | L | W | D | L | L | L | L | D | D | D | D | W | D | W | L | L | L | W |
* ↑ Académica Lobito was awarded a 0-3 loss by default in its round 13 match against Recreativo do Libolo.
* ↑ ASA was awarded a 0-3 loss by default in its round 16 match against Sagrada Esperança.
* ↑ Recreativo da Caála was awarded a 0-3 loss by default in its inaugural match against Santa Rita de Cássia.
* ↑ Saurimo FC was awarded a 0-3 loss by default in its round 6 match against Recreativo da Caála.

## Statistics
### Top scorers

    As of 19 May 2019
| Rank | Scorer | Club | Apps | Goals |
| 1 | Mabululu | 1º de Agosto | 22(4) | 14 |
| 2 | Azulão | Petro de Luanda | 25(1) | 13 |
| 3 | Chico | Bravos do Maquis | 27(2) | 13 |
| 4 | Lionel | Desportivo da Huíla | 26(2) | 12 |
| 5 | Jiresse | Sagrada Esperança | 21(3) | 10 |
| 6 | Tony | Petro de Luanda | 21(7) | 9 |
| 7 | Daddy | Kabuscorp | 29 | 9 |

### Hat-tricks

| Player | For | Against | S | R | Date |
| Tony | Petro de Luanda | Progresso Sambizanga | 3-0 (H) | 15 | 29 January 2019 |
| Kaya | Rec do Libolo | Cuando Cubango FC | 3-1 (H) | 15 | 2 February 2019 |
| Chico | Bravos do Maquis | S$^{ta}$ Rita de Cássia | 3-2 (H) | 18 | 9 March 2019 |
| Azulão | Petro de Luanda | Kabuscorp | 1-4 (A) | 24 | 13 April 2019 |
* 2018–19 Girabola winner
* Clube Desportivo Primeiro de Agosto 13th title
* Squad: Neblú, Nsesani, Tony Cabaça (GK) Bobo, Bonifácio, Dani, Isaac, Mingo Bile, Natael, Paizo, Yisa (DF) Aquino, Ary Papel, Buá, Cirilo, Kila, Macaia, Mário, Mongo, Nelson, Show (MF) Dago, Mabululu, Melono, Vanilson, Zito (FW) Dragan Jović (Head Coach)
* Top Scorer
* Mabululu