Johannesburg - Kaizer Chiefs' rising star Lucky Baloyi has heaped praise on the club's management and admits he will never forget scoring his first goal for the Soweto giants.

The midfielder opened the scoring, and his Chiefs account, in the 2-0 victory over Black Leopards at the weekend, with his inspired performance earning him the Man of the Match award at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

"That goal was special and has inspired me a lot," Baloyi told The Sowetan.

"I felt honoured that I helped my team to win and won the man of the match award on the same day our chairman Kaizer Motaung was celebrating his (67th) birthday.

"It felt good to score my first professional goal in Limpopo where I was born and bred. I will never forget that day in my life."

Baloyi, who was born just outside of Mahwelereng, admits he would not have been able to reach such heights if it wasn't for the leadership he receives at Naturena.

"I want to thank all the people who supported me from childhood. I never thought I would be playing for a team as big as Kaizer Chiefs," he admitted.

"The development coaches at Chiefs, like Doctor Khumalo, Ntsie Maphike and Ace Khuse (now assistant coach of the senior team) helped me a great deal as a player.

"Fani Madida (who is now an assistant coach at AmaZulu) and Floyd Mogale (Mamelodi Sundowns development coach), were also there to guide me. They advised us youngsters to work hard at training and live a clean life.

"I listened to them because of their successes as football players who played at the highest level."

He added: "I would like to thank coach Vladimir Vermezovic for believing in me. He gave me a chance when I was still an unknown player coming from the development structure."

On Chiefs' chances of winning the PSL title, Baloyi said: "It's still early in the season to talk about winning the league but we are happy that our challenge for the title is well on track.

"Our chairman has made it clear our priority is to win the league."