Gift Ngoepe made history Wednesday when he became the first-ever African-born player to play in a Major League Baseball game.

Ngoepe suited up for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who took on the Chicago Cubs, and won 6-5. Ngoepe had a hit, a walk, and he helped turn a double play to end the game.

He hails from South Africa and spent over eight years in the minor leagues before finally getting his shot on the big stage.

Check out his emotional debut:

 

 

“I thought about where I’ve come from, making the journey from South Africa to pursue my dream of playing in the major leagues someday,” Ngoepe said. “I thought about the struggles of being in the minor leagues for 8½ years and then to finally get up here and get a hit in my first at-bat. The whole thing was just awesome. That’s the only word I can think of to describe it. It was awesome.” (ESPN)

When he got the call up from the Pirates, he told reporters, “It means that it doesn’t matter where you come from. No matter where you are or who you are, you can still make it no matter what country [you come from].

What a night for MLB, for an entire continent, and for an athlete who wouldn’t give up on his dream.