Académica do Porto Novo

History

The club was founded on February 14, 1981.

Their first title was claimed in 1997 and the only title they would win for the island. Later, the team won the most titles since the breakup of the island division in 1997. Their next title was in 1998 and first after the breakup. After winning the 2000 title, the club did not participate in the national championships, none participated from the south zone in 2000. Académica celebrated its 25th anniversary of foundation in 2006. Recently, the club had won a record six consecutive titles and one of the few clubs of each island leagues ever to win six titles in six straight years, the others being CS Mindelense of nearby São Vicente several times between the foundation up to 1994, Botafogo of Fogo in 1981 and Brava's Nô Pintcha in 1996, Académica's total number is ten. The 2012 season was Académica Porto Novo's successful career and best season where the club had 36 points and not a single draw or loss, their second was the 2014 season where the club had 34 points and not a single loss, their third was in 2015 and their fourth in 2013. Académica's next loss in a few seasons was at the final week losing to their second rival Marítimo 2-1 on April 23, their only success was in goal scoring which scored 60 and was the club record. Overall in any of the island leagues, Académica had about four years without a loss numbering 60 matches, though in a championship with a club less than São Vicente's and no second division, the record is tied with CS Mindelense's, also on week 13, Académica defeated Sporting with a high scoring match of 11-0, From 2012 to April 2016, Académica's away matches without a loss numbered 30, ahead of Santiago South's Sporting Praia who now has 19 matches without a loss away on February 26, 2017, one part its recently extended 22 match season, and third is Mindelense. Also it holds record without a loss that is a combined South Zone championship-cup-super cup matches numbering about 60 and the over lasted until April 23 but not on home matches, it does not include the single Santo Antão Island Cup as the club lost one match and was later out.

Académica started off the 2016/17 season on November 13 with another high scoring match but a lower number which was 7-0. As of the fifth round, Académica has the lead, ahead of Lajedos, the wins, a draw and 13 points are now shared with that club, the club has 19 goals scored, 9 more than Lajedos. On home matches, it continues to have around a 40 match unbeaten streak at the regionals, a feat continued for nearly six years.

Other regional successes

Académica currently has the most number of opening tournament titles in the municipality of Porto Novo. Their cup titles, the recent cup wins was between 2013 and 2015, three straight titles in three years. The club also recently won three super cup titles in a row after entering as championship winners. Académica qualified to the first ever Santo Antão Super Cup in December 12, 2015 where the club won all two matches and claimed the first ever Super Cup title. In the 2016 South Zone Super Cup, Académica as champion and cup winner defeated a second place cup winner.

Appearances at the national playoffs

Académica participated in the national finals for the first time in early 2013 and played with Mindelense and lost 3–0, their second match was tied at 2 apiece and lost their chance to win their first national title. Académica participated in the 2016 season and finished second behind Mindelense with 11 points and six goals scored, the club challenged FC Derby from the neighboring island and was tied with two goals each in two matches, the club advanced as they won two goals away, the club again challenged Mindelense in early July and won their only goal in their first match, as a total of a goal was scored in two of its matches, the second match went into extra time and then into the penalty shootout, the club lost to MIndelense and again failed their chance to win a national title. Académica also has 9 goals were scored, fewer than their previous appearances, but their goal total is 69 and became one of the records in the national probably equalling to Santiago North Zone's GD Varandinha in the same season.

Other competitions

In October 2016, Académica along with Paulense of another league of the north of the island were participants from outside the neighboring island in the revived and reformatted Mindelo Cup, a competition that has not been held in several years, it featured the champion of São Vicente Mindelense and the cup winner of São Vicente Salamansa.

Uniform

Its uniform color is all coloured black for home games and a white T-shirt and black clothing uniform for away games.

Up to the end of the 2014–15 season, its uniform colours were, black clothing with white striped sleeves and white socks for home games and its colors opposite with white clothing for away/alternate games.

Its former uniform colors was blue with a single white stripe, white sleeves and socks and blue shorts for home games and white clothing with blue sleeves and socks for visitor's games.

Rivalry

In the 2000s, the club's main rivalry were Paulense and Solpontense which was their main interisland rivalry, after the island leagues broken up into two zones in 2003, the rivalry would be at the Santo Antão Cup and the Super Cup. The club's other rival is Sporting Porto Novo and has challenged some times into the present day. That is the only rivalry of the city of Porto Novo.

Achievements

Current squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Chairmen history