In 2011, they got their greatest position of first place of the final phase and won the North Zone's regional championships and qualified into the Nationals.
Their first national level challenge was from the south of the island, Sporting Clube da Praia and lost 1–0 on 15 May.
Benfica Santa Cruz defeated Sal Rei and later São Nicolau's FC Ultramarina.
Benfica's first match of 2018 was a loss, they made their only win of the year on 13 January as they defeated AJAC 2–1, the club was 6th place with 11 points, also shared with Estrela dos Amadores and Grémio Nhagar, they scored a total of 10 goals, fifth in Santiago North alongside Varandinha.
Then Beira-Mar and Flor Jovem and became sixth with 21 points, they have 6 wins, sharing with other clubs that were in the top four positions.
Alongside AJAC, Benfica de Santa Cruz were the first two participants of the north of the island outside the municipality of Tarrafal to appear in the second GAFT Cup, the club reached the finals and played with Desportivo da Praia from Santiago South on 28 October and no goals were scored up to extra time which entered into the penalty shootout, the club scored 4–3 and won their only GAFT title.
It has a red and white shield with a ball and a blue ribbon with the club name acronym in the middle.
Other logos in the nation are the same (with some similarity) are Praia's CD Travadores, Benfica da Praia (Benfiquinha), Paulense, Sport Sal Rei Club, Ribeira Brava's SC Atlético, Nô Pintcha dos Mosteiros and Benfica of Brava.