Girabola, or Campeonato Nacional de Futebol de Séniores Masculinos, is the top division of Angolan football. It is organized by the Angolan Football Federation. The term "Girabola" (lit. 'spin ball') is a creation of the nationalist, radio broadcaster and sports reporter Rui Carvalho, in 1972, at a time when the Angolan championship was still officially called "Campeonato do Estado Ultramarino de Angola". The name "Girabola" differentiated the competition from the other overseas provinces and was a subtle form of anti-colonial protest. The league winner and runner-up qualify for the CAF Champions League.

History

The competition is the successor to the "Campeonato do Estado Ultramarino de Angola". Between 1975 and 1979, this competition did not take place. In 1979, the first edition of the post-independence, the competition was played, consisting of 24 teams, divided into groups of four or six teams, in a competition that started on December 8, 1979. In 1980 the competition was contested by the thirteen teams best classified in the previous season, plus Sagrada Esperança, benefiting from the division of the Lundas into north and south. The last edition to be played by fourteen teams was in 1990. In 1991 and 1992, sixteen teams participated in the competition. In 1993 and 1994, the number of teams competing was reduced to twelve, because of the civil war that prevented teams from Huambo from participating in the competition. In 1995 the competition was again contested by fourteen teams. Since that year, the point system has also changed, with the winner of the game earning 3 points instead of the 2 points previously earned. Since 2010, the championship has been contested by 16 teams.

Girabola ZAP

In January 2016, Angolan subscription TV satellite and cable provider ZAP, the Angolan Football Federation and the Girabola clubs, signed a three-year deal in which ZAP will have broadcast rights over all Girabola matches. As part of the deal, the Angolan state-owned TV station TPA will be allowed to broadcast one game per week on its free-view platform. Also as part of the deal, the Girabola changes its denomination to Girabola ZAP.

Qualification for African competitions

Association ranking for 2020–21 CAF competitions

Association ranking for 2020–21 CAF Champions League and 2020–21 CAF Confederation Cup will be based on results from each CAF tournament (Champions League and Confederation Cup) from 2016 to 2019–20.

List of champions before independence

The list of champions includes the national champions in the colonial period. (Campeonato Provincial de Angola) Titles by team

Since independence (Girabola)

Titles by team

Top goalscorers

All-time goalscorers

Multiple hat-tricks

Rádio 5 Awards