# 2017 Girabola

The 2017 Girabola was the 39th season of top-tier football in Angola. The season ran from 10 February to 5 November 2017.
The league comprised 16 teams and the bottom three teams were relegated to the 2018 Provincial stages.

## Teams

A total of 16 teams contested the league, including 13 sides from the 2016 season and three promoted from the 2016 Segundona - Bravos do Maquis, J.G.M. and Santa Rita de Cássia.
On the other hand, 4 de Abril do K.K., Porcelana F.C. and Primeiro de Maio were the last three teams of the 2016 season and played in the Segundona for the 2018 season. Clube Desportivo Primeiro de Agosto were the defending champions from the 2016 season.
On January 23, 2017, Benfica de Luanda issued a press release stating that it would no longer participate in the Girabola, with effect from 2017 and until further notice, citing financial reasons, and that the club would focus on its youth academy and in turning the club into a sports company.
For the repechage to fill the spot of Benfica de Luanda, a round-robin qualifier tournament was announced to be contested by the three relegated teams in the 2016 Girabola plus the two top-ranked teams in the 2016 Segundona. As four of the five invited teams declined to participate on financial grounds, Primeiro de Maio was selected to replace Benfica de Luanda.

## Estádio 4 de Janeiro disaster

On February 10, 2017, during the inaugural match between home team Santa Rita de Cássia and Recreativo do Libolo, one of the access gates of Estádio 4 de Janeiro collapsed as supporters tried to force their way into the stadium. As a result, 17 people were trampled to death and 76 injured, 5 of whom with life-threatening injuries. The incident began just about 6 minutes from the beginning of the match with the match pursuing its normal course until the end and no one inside the stadium realizing what was going on. The Police has reportedly used tear gas to disperse angry supporters.

## Changes from 2016 season

Relegated: 4 de Abril do Cuando, Porcelana, 1º de Maio
Promoted: Bravos do Maquis, Desportivo JGM, Santa Rita de Cássia Withdrew: Benfica de Luanda Nominated: 1º de Maio

## Progresso da Lunda Sul relegation

Progresso da Lunda Sul was relegated for fielding an ineligible player on its 29th round match against Académica do Lobito. As the club was struggling with financial trouble, they had initially been awarded a 3-0 defeat in their round 20 home match against Progresso do Sambizanga.

### Stadiums and locations

| Team | Home city | Stadium | Capacity | 2016 season |
| Académica do Lobito | Lobito | Estádio do Buraco | 15,000 | 12th in Girabola |
| ASA | Luanda | Estádio dos Coqueiros | 12,000 | 13th in Girabola |
| Bravos do Maquis | Luena | Estádio Mundunduleno | 4,300 | 2nd in Segundona |
| Desportivo da Huíla | Lubango | Estádio do Ferroviário da Huíla | 25,000 | 10th in Girabola |
| Interclube | Luanda | Estádio 22 de Junho | 7,000 | 7th in Girabola |
| J.G.M. | Huambo | Estádio dos Kurikutelas | 5,000 | 3rd in Segundona |
| Kabuscorp | Luanda | Estádio dos Coqueiros | 12,000 | 5th 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 |
| Primeiro de Maio | Benguela | Estádio Edelfride Costa | 6,000 | 15th in Girabola |
| Progresso do Sambizanga | Luanda | Estádio dos Coqueiros | 12,000 | 8th in Girabola |
| Progresso da Lunda Sul | Saurimo | Estádio das Mangueiras | 7,000 | 4th in Girabola |
| Recreativo da Caála | Caála | Estádio Mártires da Canhala | 12,000 | 11th in Girabola |
| Recreativo do Libolo | Calulo | Estádio Municipal | 10,000 | 3rd in Girabola |
| Sagrada Esperança | Dundo | Estádio Sagrada Esperança | 8,000 | 9th in Girabola |
| Santa Rita de Cássia | Uíge | Estádio 4 de Janeiro | 12,000 | 1st in Segundona |

## League table

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
| 1 | Primeiro de Agosto (C) | 30 | 19 | 8 | 3 | 44 | 14 | +30 | 65 | Qualification for Champions League |
| 2 | Petro de Luanda | 30 | 20 | 2 | 8 | 46 | 20 | +26 | 62 | |
| 3 | Sagrada Esperança | 30 | 15 | 8 | 7 | 34 | 23 | +11 | 53 | |
| 4 | Kabuscorp | 30 | 13 | 11 | 6 | 40 | 29 | +11 | 50 | |
| 5 | Recreativo do Libolo | 30 | 13 | 9 | 8 | 41 | 23 | +18 | 48 | |
| 6 | Interclube | 30 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 34 | 19 | +15 | 48 | |
| 7 | Progresso do Sambizanga | 30 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 34 | 30 | +4 | 41 | |
| 8 | Recreativo da Caála | 30 | 12 | 5 | 13 | 24 | 27 | −3 | 41 | |
| 9 | Desportivo da Huíla | 30 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 23 | 28 | −5 | 41 | |
| 10 | Primeiro de Maio | 30 | 12 | 4 | 14 | 41 | 49 | −8 | 40 | |
| 11 | Bravos do Maquis | 30 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 19 | 26 | −7 | 33 | |
| 12 | Académica do Lobito | 30 | 8 | 6 | 16 | 39 | 52 | −13 | 30 | |
| 13 | J.G.M. | 30 | 8 | 6 | 16 | 26 | 55 | −29 | 30 | |
| 14 | ASA (R) | 30 | 6 | 8 | 16 | 20 | 37 | −17 | 26 | Relegation to Provincial stages |
| 15 | Santa Rita (R) | 30 | 4 | 8 | 18 | 24 | 46 | −22 | 20 | Relegation to Provincial stages |
| 16 | Progresso LS (D) | 30 | 8 | 8 | 14 | 28 | 39 | −11 | 32 | Disqualified |

## Results

| Home \ Away | ACA | ASA | BMQ | DHL | INT | JGM | KAB | PET | PRI | PRL | PRM | PRO | RCA | RLB | SAG | SRC |
| Académica do Lobito | — | 4–1 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 0–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 1–0 | 2–1 | 1–2 | 2–4 | 4–0 |
| ASA | 2–0 | — | 1–1 | 1–0 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 0–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 0–0 | 1–2 | 0–1 | 0–0 | 2–2 |
| Bravos do Maquis | 3–1 | 0–1 | — | 0–0 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 0–1 | 1–0 | 0–1 | 1–0 | 0–1 | 1–0 | 0–1 | 1–0 | 0–1 | 1–0 |
| Desportivo da Huíla | 1–2 | 0–0 | 1–0 | — | 1–0 | 2–0 | 1–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–1 | 1–0 | 1–1 | 0–0 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 0–0 |
| Interclube | 1–1 | 0–1 | 1–0 | 0–0 | — | 3–0 | 0–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–0 | 0–0 | 2–0 |
| J.G.M. | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 | — | 1–0 | 0–1 | 0–4 | 0–3 | 1–2 | 0–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 1–0 |
| Kabuscorp | 1–1 | 1–0 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 3–2 | 1–0 | — | 2–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 0–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 |
| Petro de Luanda | 4–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–0 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 1–1 | — | 0–0 | 1–0 | 4–1 | 2–1 | 3–0 | 1–0 | 5–1 | 4–2 |
| Primeiro de Agosto | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 1–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–0 | — | 2–1 | 2–1 | 4–0 | 0–0 | 1–0 | 1–0 | 1–0 |
| Progresso da Lunda Sul | 3–2 | 2–0 | 0–0 | 2–0 | 0–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–1 | 1–2 | — | 2–0 | 0–3 | 1–0 | 1–2 | 0–0 | 3–2 |
| Primeiro de Maio | 4–2 | 1–0 | 0–0 | 4–1 | 1–2 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 1–0 | 0–3 | 2–1 | — | 2–0 | 1–2 | 1–4 | 2–4 | 3–2 |
| Progresso do Sambizanga | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–2 | 0–0 | 1–2 | 2–3 | 0–2 | 0–0 | 4–0 | 2–2 | — | 2–0 | 1–0 | 1–0 | 1–0 |
| Recreativo da Caála | 1–0 | 2–0 | 0–0 | 3–0 | 0–3 | 0–1 | 2–0 | 0–1 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 0–1 | 1–0 | — | 0–3 | 1–0 | 3–0 |
| Recreativo do Libolo | 2–1 | 3–0 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 6–0 | 0–0 | 1–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 0–1 | 1–0 | — | 0–0 | 1–1 |
| Sagrada Esperança | 2–1 | 1–0 | 0–0 | 1–0 | 1–0 | 6–0 | 2–1 | 1–0 | 1–0 | 0–0 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 1–0 | — | 1–0 |
| Santa Rita | 0–2 | 1–0 | 1–2 | 0–1 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 1–1 | 0–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 0–1 | 2–1 | 0–0 | 0–1 | 1–1 | — |

### 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 | 9 | 15 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Petro de Luanda | 2 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Sagrada Esperança | 2 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Kabuscorp | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| Interclube | 11 | 5 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Recreativo do Libolo | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 6 |
| Recreativo da Caála | 2 | 5 | 11 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 7 |
| Desportivo da Huíla | 7 | 13 | 6 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 |
| Progresso | 11 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
| 1º de Maio | 11 | 10 | 15 | 16 | 10 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Bravos do Maquis | 2 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
| Progresso Lunda Sul | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 |
| Académica do Lobito | 16 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 |
| J.G.M. | 9 | 9 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 |
| ASA | 7 | 8 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 |
| Santa Rita | 11 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
* Leader (2018 CAF Champions League)
* Relegation to 2018 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 | L | D | W | L | L | L | L | L | W | L | D | L | D | W | L | D | D | L | D | L | W | W | L | W | L | W | L | L | L | W |
| ASA | D | D | L | D | L | D | D | L | W | L | L | L | L | L | W | W | W | D | L | D | L | W | L | D | L | L | W | L | L | L |
| Bravos do Maquis | W | D | L | D | L | L | W | L | D | L | W | W | L | W | L | D | L | D | W | D | L | L | D | L | D | W | L | W | L | D |
| Desportivo da Huíla | D | L | W | L | L | W | L | W | L | D | L | D | D | W | L | L | W | W | D | L | L | W | D | D | W | W | W | W | D | L |
| Interclube | L | W | L | D | W | W | D | D | D | W | D | L | D | L | W | D | D | W | W | D | W | W | L | L | W | W | D | W | D | D |
| J.G.M. | D | L | L | D | L | W | L | L | D | L | D | W | L | L | W | L | D | L | L | W | L | L | W | D | L | L | L | W | W | W |
| Kabuscorp | W | W | W | W | D | W | W | D | D | D | W | D | W | L | W | D | L | D | L | W | D | L | D | W | D | W | D | L | L | W |
| Petro de Luanda | W | L | W | W | W | L | W | W | D | W | W | L | W | W | W | W | D | W | W | W | L | W | W | L | W | L | W | L | W | L |
| 1º de Agosto | W | W | D | W | W | W | L | W | D | W | D | W | W | W | L | W | D | W | D | W | W | W | D | W | D | W | D | W | W | L |
| 1º de Maio | L | D | L | L | W | L | W | L | D | L | L | D | W | W | L | W | W | L | W | L | L | L | W | W | W | L | D | W | L | W |
| Progresso L. Sul | L | D | L | L | L | L | W | L | W | D | D | L | L | L | W | D | D | W | D | L | L | L | L | D | D | W | W | L | L | W |
| Progresso | L | D | W | D | W | D | L | W | W | L | D | D | W | W | W | L | L | D | D | W | W | L | W | L | D | L | L | L | W | L |
| Recreativo da Caála | W | L | D | W | W | W | D | L | L | L | W | W | W | L | L | L | D | W | D | D | L | W | L | W | L | L | L | W | W | L |
| Recreativo do Libolo | W | W | L | W | D | W | W | D | D | W | W | D | L | W | D | D | L | W | D | L | W | D | L | D | W | L | W | L | W | L |
| Sagrada Esperança | W | D | W | L | W | L | W | W | W | W | W | W | L | L | D | D | D | D | W | L | W | L | W | D | D | W | D | W | L | W |
| Santa Rita | L | L | W | D | D | L | D | L | L | D | L | L | L | L | L | D | L | W | D | L | W | L | D | L | L | L | D | L | L | W |

## Season statistics
### Top scorers

    As of 23 August 2017
| Rank | Scorer | Club | Goals |
| 1 | Tiago Azulão | Petro de Luanda | 16 |
| 2 | Kaporal | 1º de Maio | 12 |
| 3 | Rambé | 1º de Agosto | 11 |
| 4 | Fofó | Progresso | 10 |
| 4 | Jiresse | Académica do Lobito | 10 |
| 5 | Jacques | Kabuscorp | 9 |
| 5 | Paizinho | Recreativo do Libolo | 9 |
| 6 | Tony | Petro de Luanda | 8 |

#### Hat-tricks

| Player | For | Against | Result | Date |
| Fofó | Progresso | Bravos do Maquis | 4-0 | 5 May 2017 |
| Germano | Académica do Lobito | Santa Rita | 4-0 | 10 September 2017 |
| Chileshe | Progresso Lunda Sul | J.G.M. | 0-3 | 4 October 2017 |
* 2017 Girabola winner
* Clube Desportivo Primeiro de Agosto 11th title
* Squad: Julião, Nuno, Tony Cabaça (GK) Bobo, Dani, Isaac, Natael, Paizo, Sargento (DF) Buá, Catraio, Diogo, Gogoró, Gui, Ibukun, Macaia, Manucho, Meda, Mingo Bile, Nelson, Show (MF) Geraldo, Guelor, Vado, Vanilson (FW) Dragan Jović (Head Coach)
* Top Scorer
* Azulão