For Olly and Seb Fisher, international football once seemed like a distant dream.
Now, the Partick Thistle brothers are hoping to represent Uganda after being invited to train with the country’s youth national teams.
Born in Scotland, the teenagers are eligible through their mother Kate, who was born in Uganda after their grandparents moved there while their grandfather worked as a teacher.
The unexpected opportunity has given the brothers a new connection to their family’s history, while opening the door to a potential international career with Uganda.
How Olly and Seb Fisher Found Their Route From Scotland to Uganda
Olly, an 18-year-old goalkeeper, and Seb, a 16-year-old striker, first became aware of Uganda’s interest around six months ago.
The opportunity came following a conversation between their father and a football consultant at a game in Nigeria. By the beginning of August, both brothers had been invited to attend Uganda’s Under-20 and Under-17 training camps.
Speaking to BBC Sport Scotland, Olly explained how his family’s connection to the country began.
“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.”
The brothers recently spent time training in Jinja, in eastern Uganda, where they were introduced to their potential international teammates.
Despite the heat and the unfamiliar surroundings, both players have embraced the experience.
“Everyone has been brilliant, welcoming, really great,” Seb said.
“The other boys have been brand new with us.”
Olly and Seb Fisher Could Make History With Uganda
The brothers’ potential involvement has attracted attention beyond their footballing ability.
Uganda Under-20 head coach Laryea Kingston, a former Hearts and Ghana midfielder, told the pair they could become the first white players to represent the country. That claim has not been independently established, but the possibility has added further significance to their call-ups.
“Coach Kingston was saying we’d be the first white boys to play for Uganda, which would be history in the making,” Seb explained.
Olly added: “It’s never been done before, so definitely it is very special.”
For the brothers, the opportunity is about more than making an appearance on the international stage. Their time in Uganda has also allowed them to build a stronger relationship with the country they have grown up hearing about through their grandparents.
Some of their new teammates even come from the same area where their mother was born, creating an immediate point of connection.
What Comes Next for Olly and Seb Fisher?
The call-ups came as a surprise to both teenagers, with Seb admitting he initially struggled to believe the opportunity was real.
Their mother Kate has also welcomed the development, describing herself as “ecstatic” about the experience her sons are having.
The brothers are set to return to Scotland soon, where they will continue combining their football commitments with education and their development at Partick Thistle.
However, their international ambitions remain firmly in place.
Olly hopes to be involved in Uganda’s bid to reach the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations next year, while Seb has his sights set on a potential place in the Under-17 squad for the World Cup in Qatar in November.
For Seb, the chance to train in an international environment could also benefit their progress at club level.
“That’s what you want as a footballer, being in an international environment,” he said. “It makes you a better player and hopefully it does for the two of us.”
What began with a family connection dating back decades could now lead to a new chapter for the Fisher brothers, one played out in the colours of Uganda.
