In 2013, Académica Porto Novo again appeared in the semis and defeated Desportivo Praia and defeated that club 3–0 in the first leg, they lost the second leg of only 1–0 in Praia, the national capital and later participated in the national finals for the first time, they 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. In 2014, they faced Mindelense from the neighboring island from down south in the semis, no goals were scored in the first leg, they lost the second leg 3–0 and was out from their first final appearance. Académica participated in the 2016 season, in the semis, they faced Derby from the neighboring island who was runner up of São Vicente as Mindelense was 2015 national champs, both legs ended in draws, first with nothing, then with two goals as the first two goals were scored away by Davi, they headed to their recent appearance at the finals 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 had 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. In 2017, Académica Porto Novo made another playoff debut with Sporting Praia once more from Santiago South, the first match ended in a goal draw, the club lost the second match 1–0 and shattered completely their attempt for a second straight chance to play in the finals which included a possible another showdown with Mindelense. Overall, the club scored a total of 13 goals tying their 2011 overall goal totals.