The Partick Thistle striker came off the bench to score three goals as Uganda opened their CECAFA U17 AFCON qualifying campaign with an 8-0 victory over Burundi.
Sebastian Fisher Scott marked his international debut for Uganda with a hat-trick as the Uganda Cubs thrashed Burundi 8-0 in their opening match of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U17 CECAFA qualifiers.
The 16-year-old Scotland-based striker came off the bench to score three times in the Group B encounter at Kigali Pele Stadium in Rwanda on Saturday, October 10, giving Uganda a commanding start to the regional competition.
Fisher, who plays for Scottish club Partick Thistle, is among players of Ugandan heritage being recruited from abroad to strengthen the country’s youth national teams.
His older brother, Olly Fisher, an 18-year-old goalkeeper, has also trained with Uganda’s youth teams. The brothers qualify to represent Uganda through their mother, Kate, who was born in the country.
Uganda had taken control of the match before Fisher entered the action. Arnold Kayemba scored twice in the opening 21 minutes, while Arafat Ibanda and Nicholas Kawooya added goals to give the Cubs a 4-0 lead at half-time.
Fisher opened his account in the 73rd minute with a header before Junior Afoyrwoth extended Uganda’s advantage three minutes later.
The debutant then struck again in the 84th minute and completed his hat-trick in the 89th, sealing an emphatic victory for coach Laryea Kingston’s side.
The result gives Uganda an early boost in a competition that serves as the CECAFA region’s qualification pathway to the 2027 AFCON U17 finals.
Kingston welcomed the team’s performance but urged his players to remain focused ahead of their next fixture against Ethiopia on Wednesday, October 14.
“I am very happy with the win and the many goals the boys scored. We need to keep focused and prepare for our next match against Ethiopia,” the coach said.
For Fisher, the debut represents a significant step in his international career after training with Uganda’s youth sides and switching his international allegiance from Scotland.
Before making his competitive debut, the youngster had spoken about the opportunity to experience a different football environment and learn from training with Uganda’s national youth teams. His three goals against Burundi have now given him an immediate impact in the Cubs’ campaign.
The inclusion of players from the diaspora forms part of Uganda’s wider effort to identify eligible talent beyond its domestic football system. Such recruitment offers the national teams a broader pool of players, although continued involvement will depend on performance and selection.
Uganda will now turn its attention to Ethiopia as the Cubs seek to build on their opening victory and secure progress to the semi-finals.
For Fisher, however, the Burundi match has already delivered a memorable milestone: three goals on his international debut and a major contribution to Uganda’s emphatic opening win.