1997 Girabola

The 1996 Girabola was the 19th season of top-tier football competition in Angola. Primeiro de Agosto were the defending champions.

Girabola 1997

Season	1997 (–)
Champions	Petro Luanda
Relegated	Benfica 1º de Maio
1997 CAF Champions League	Petro Luanda (Girabola winner)
1997 CAF Cup	Sagrada (Girabola 2nd place)
Matches played	210
Top goalscorer	Zé Neli (12 goals)
← 1996 1998 →

The league comprised 14 teams, the bottom two of which were relegated.

Petro de Luanda were crowned champions, winning their 11th title, while Benfica do Huambo and Primeiro de Maio were relegated.

Zé Neli of Petro do Huambo finished as the top scorer with 12 goals.

Changes from the 1996 season

Relegated: Nacional de Benguela
Promoted: FC de Cabinda, Kabuscorp, Sonangol do Namibe

FC Cabinda

Sagrada

1º de Agosto
Kabuscorp

Petro

ASA

Progresso
Rangol

Académica

1º de Maio

Petro do Huambo

Benfica Huambo

Sonangol

Independente

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 Locations of the 1997 Girabola teams

League table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification or relegation
1	Petro de Luanda (C)	26	16	6	4	46	20	+26	54	Qualification for Champions League
2	Sagrada Esperança	26	15	5	6	41	26	+15	50	Qualification for CAF Cup
3	Sonangol do Namibe	26	10	9	7	33	25	+8	39
4	Primeiro de Agosto	26	9	10	7	35	29	+6	37
5	Petro do Huambo	26	9	8	9	30	32	−2	35
6	Rangol	26	9	8	9	32	25	+7	35
7	Kabuscorp	26	9	8	9	35	37	−2	35
8	ASA	26	10	5	11	25	29	−4	35
9	Académica do Lobito	26	7	12	7	25	29	−4	33
10	FC de Cabinda	26	9	4	13	31	33	−2	31
11	Progresso do Sambizanga	26	7	8	11	28	34	−6	29
12	Independente do Tômbwa	26	8	5	13	23	35	−12	29
13	Benfica do Huambo (R)	26	8	3	15	21	37	−16	27	Relegation to Provincial stages
14	Primeiro de Maio (R)	26	6	7	13	32	50	−18	25

Updated to match(es) played on 22 November 1997. Source: Girabola.com
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Goal difference; 5) Goals scored; 6) Fair-play points; 7) Play-off.
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated
Notes:

Results

Home \ Away	ACL	ASA	BHU	FCC	IND	KAB	PET	PHU	PRI	MAI	PRO	RAN	SAG	SON
Académica do Lobito	—
ASA		—
Benfica do Huambo			—
FC de Cabinda				—
Independente do Tômbwa					—
Kabuscorp						—
Petro de Luanda							—
Petro do Huambo								—
Primeiro de Agosto									—
Primeiro de Maio										—
Progresso do Sambizanga											—
Rangol												—
Sagrada Esperança													—
Sonangol do Namibe														—

Updated to match(es) played on 22 November 1997. Source: girabola.com
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Season statistics

Top scorer

• Zé Neli

Champions

1997 Girabola winner
Atlético Petróleos de Luanda 11th title

Squad: Amaral, Aurélio, Betinho, Bodunha, Cacharamba, Chico Dinis, Delgado, Guedes, Gui, Joãozinho, Jonas, Langa, Maninho, Marito, Minhas, Nelo Bumba, Paulo Dias, Zico
Head coach: Jorge Ferreira

External links

• Federação Angolana de Futebol