Scottish teenage brothers Olly and Seb Fisher are pursuing international football opportunities with Uganda after being invited to train with the country’s youth national teams.
The brothers, who play for Partick Thistle, became eligible to represent Uganda through their mother, Kate, who was born in the East African country.
Olly, 18, is a goalkeeper currently training with Uganda’s Under-20 side, while his 16-year-old brother, Seb, is a striker involved with the Under-17 team.
Their journey towards representing Uganda began about six months ago after their father spoke with a football consultant at a match in Nigeria.
The conversation eventually led to invitations for the teenagers to attend Uganda’s youth training camps, with both brothers travelling to Jinja in eastern Uganda in August for a week-long training spell.
For Olly, the opportunity was unexpected, having not previously considered the possibility of playing international football for his mother’s country of birth.
“A real mixture of emotions. I was quite shocked. I didn’t really think that give this was a possibility but I was honoured to be asked to represent Uganda. I thought it was a real big opportunity.”
Seb also described his initial reaction as one of disbelief after learning that Uganda wanted him to join its youth set-up.
“I couldn’t believe it. It’s one of those things you look at and you’re shocked. You can’t believe it. Most other people couldn’t as well.”
A family connection to Uganda
Although the brothers were raised in Scotland, their links to Uganda extend beyond their mother’s birthplace.
Their grandparents spent several years in the country after their grandfather moved there to work as a teacher, before their mother was born there.
“My gran and grandad lived out here for, I think, four or five years. My grandfather came out here to teach in a school then my mum was born here. So, it’s a bit of a strange one,” Olly said.
The teenagers have also found a connection with some of their new teammates, with several players coming from the same part of Uganda where their mother was born.
Their integration into the squad has reportedly been helped by the reception they received from the other players.
“Everyone has been brilliant, welcoming, really great. The other boys have been brand new with us,” Seb said.
A possible place in Uganda’s football history
The brothers are being coached by Uganda Under-20 head coach and former Hearts and Ghana midfielder Laryea Kingston, who has welcomed them into the national youth set-up.
Seb said Kingston told them they could become the first white players to represent Uganda, although the claim has not been independently established.
“Coach Kingston was saying we’d be the first white boys to play for Uganda, which would be history in the making. It is very special,” Seb said.
Olly also acknowledged the significance of the possibility while noting that such a milestone would be unusual.
“It’s never been done before, so definitely it is very special.”
Beyond the novelty surrounding their backgrounds, however, the brothers are focused on earning competitive international opportunities and developing their football careers.
Olly is hoping to be involved if Uganda qualify for next year’s Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations, while Seb could be considered for the Under-17 side ahead of the November World Cup in Qatar.
For Seb, training in an international environment offers an opportunity to gain experience that could also benefit his club career in Scotland.
“That’s what you want as a footballer, being in an international environment. It makes you a better player and hopefully it does for the two of us, and I think it will, and benefit us very much going back to Scotland playing at Thistle.”
The brothers are expected to return to Scotland soon to continue their education and football commitments at Partick Thistle, while remaining available for further opportunities with Uganda.
