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 15,00012th in Girabola ASA Luanda Estádio dos Coqueiros 12,00013th in Girabola Bravos do Maquis Luena Estádio Mundunduleno 4,300 2nd in Segundona Desportivo da Huíla Lubango Estádio do Ferroviário da Huíla 25,00010th in Girabola Interclube Luanda Estádio 22 de Junho 7,0007th in Girabola J.G.M. Huambo Estádio dos Kurikutelas 5,000 3rd in Segundona Kabuscorp Luanda Estádio dos Coqueiros 12,0005th in Girabola Petro de Luanda Luanda Estádio 11 de Novembro 50,0002nd in Girabola Primeiro de Agosto Luanda Estádio 11 de Novembro 50,000Girabola Champions Primeiro de Maio Benguela Estádio Edelfride Costa 6,00015th in Girabola Progresso do Sambizanga Luanda Estádio dos Coqueiros 12,0008th in Girabola Progresso da Lunda Sul Saurimo Estádio das Mangueiras 7,0004th in Girabola Recreativo da Caála Caála Estádio Mártires da Canhala 12,00011th in Girabola Recreativo do Libolo Calulo Estádio Municipal 10,0003rd in Girabola Sagrada Esperança Dundo Estádio Sagrada Esperança 8,0009th in Girabola Santa Rita de Cássia Uíge Estádio 4 de Janeiro 12,000 1st in Segundona League table
Results
Positions by round
Clubs season progress
Season statistics Top scorers
RankScorerClubGoals1 Tiago AzulãoPetro de Luanda162 Kaporal1º de Maio123 Rambé1º de Agosto114 FofóProgresso10 JiresseAcadémica do Lobito5 JacquesKabuscorp9 PaizinhoRecreativo do Libolo6 TonyPetro de Luanda8
Hat-tricks Player For Against Result Ref Date Fofó Progresso Bravos do Maquis 4-0 Germano Académica do Lobito Santa Rita 4-0 Chileshe Progresso Lunda Sul J.G.M. 0-3
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)
References
External links Girabola 2017 stats at jornaldosdesportos.sapo.ao Federação Angolana de Futebol