The team won their tenth and final insular title and entered the national division in 2007, the club was first in Group A with 13 points and won four matches, and scored the most in the nation with 16 goals. After several years, the team managed to head into the finals and challenged their rival from the island of Santiago Sporting Clube da Praia. The first leg of the match was nil each and the second leg was tied at one. The most points went to the opponent and lost the national title to Sporting in mid-July, earlier than early-August. Académica fans were worried and did not celebrate the victory. Kadú scored the most goals at the nationals, numbering nine.