From Scotland to Uganda: Partick Thistle brothers Olly and Seb Fisher set for history

Teenage brothers Olly and Seb Fisher are on the verge of an unlikely piece of football history after earning international call-ups from Uganda despite being born and raised in Scotland.

The Partick Thistle youngsters have been invited to train with Uganda’s youth national teams, with goalkeeper Olly, 18, joining the Under-20 side and striker Seb, 16, linking up with the Under-17s.

The brothers could become the first white players to represent the East African nation if they progress to the respective teams, a possibility they say has made the opportunity even more special.

Their eligibility comes through their mother, Kate, who was born in Uganda while her parents lived there for several years.

“My gran and grandad lived out here for, I think, four or five years,” Olly told BBC Sport Scotland. “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 opportunity emerged after their father had a conversation with a football consultant at a match in Nigeria. Uganda’s interest became known to the family around six months ago before the brothers were invited to the country’s youth training camps at the beginning of August.

‘I couldn’t believe it’

The call-ups initially came as a surprise to both players, who had not seriously considered the possibility of representing Uganda.

Seb admitted he was stunned when he learned of the opportunity.

“I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “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.”

Olly also described experiencing a mixture of emotions after being approached.

“A real mixture of emotions,” he said. “I was quite shocked. I didn’t really think that this was a possibility but I was honoured to be asked to represent Uganda. I thought it was a real big opportunity.”

Their mother has also welcomed the prospect, with Seb saying Kate is “ecstatic” and “thinks it’d be a great experience for us”.

The brothers spent a week training in Jinja, in eastern Uganda, and are scheduled to remain in the country for another week before returning to Scotland.

Kingston tells brothers they could make history

There is another connection between Scotland and Uganda within the youth set-up, with former Hearts and Ghana midfielder Laryea Kingston coaching Uganda’s Under-20 team.

Kingston has told the brothers their involvement could have historical significance for Ugandan football.

“Coach Kingston was saying we’d be the first white boys to play for Uganda, which would be history in the making,” Seb said. “It is very special.”

Olly echoed his brother’s sentiments.

“It’s never been done before, so definitely it is very special.”

The Fisher brothers have also found a personal connection with Uganda through their family’s stories about the country and conversations with teammates whose backgrounds are linked to the area where their mother was born.

Despite the significant difference in climate from Scotland, Seb said the reception from the squad has made the experience enjoyable.

“Everyone has been brilliant, welcoming, really great,” he said. “The other boys have been brand new with us. Some of the boys actually come from the same area where my mum was born. So, they were all talking about that.”

Africa offers new international pathway

The brothers will soon return to Scotland, where they will continue balancing football at Partick Thistle with their education.

However, both are hoping their Ugandan adventure will continue.

Olly has his sights on making the Under-20 squad if Uganda qualifies for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations, while Seb could potentially feature in the Under-17 set-up at November’s World Cup in Qatar.

For Seb, the international experience could also provide an important boost to his development 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, and I think it will, and benefit us very much going back to Scotland playing at Thistle.”