In some quarters, the number 13 is considered a curse, Friday the 13th being a prime example, yet for Kaizer Chiefs winger Pule Mmodi, it is a number that holds special meaning, and he has revealed why.
Mmodi joined Chiefs on a free at the start of last season, having opted against renewing his contract with Arrows.
On his arrival, the skillful winger elected to keep his jersey number 13, which he had worn at the KwaZulu-Natal-based side. However, S'fiso Hlanti already occupied that number.
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He went on to make 31 appearances across all competitions, the most by any Amakhosi player last term, missing just four matches.
Speaking on KC TV, the 31-year-old explained why he opted to keep the number and how it come to be that Hlanti switched to number 23, freeing up the number 13 jersey.
"The number 13 doesn't mean much to me," Mmodi said.
"I was wearing it at Golden Arrows, but my number, the number I like, is number 12. But when I got to Arrows, someone was already wearing the number 12 and decided to take 13.
"So, I was wearing 13 at Golden Arrows and when I came here, I asked for it. Hlanti was wearing number 13, but then he changed to number 23. He didn't tell me: 'You won't get this number 13'. He gave me the number 13.
"I think as a player, it's very special for you to make your own name and your own number. So, that's why I stuck to number 13 when I came here.
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'Monate waiketsetsa', as he is affectionately known, scored four goals and made four assists in 2023/24 and was among Amakhosi's top goal contributors.
Chiefs are currently in Turkey for pre-season and will return to South Africa towards the end of July, upon which they will partake in the inaugural Toyota Cup against Young Africans of Tanzania, which match takes place on 28 July.