Swansea City manager Steve Cooper has lauded Ghana star Andre Ayew’s mentality after he scored the match-winning goal in their 1-0 victory against Brentford in the Championship play-off first leg on Sunday.
The former West Ham United’s forward was the hero for the Swans at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday after finding the back of the net with his left-footed strike from inside the penalty area in the 81st minute.
The strike came 17 minutes after Ayew’s penalty was saved by goalkeeper David Raya in the 64th minute.
Speaking after the game, Cooper said the miss had a positive impact on Ayew who has lived up to expectations so far this campaign.
“Andre has missed a penalty, but brushed it off and raised his game even more, and it came off with the goal,” Cooper told the club website.
“His mentality is of the highest order, to brush off the disappointing return from a penalty where you fancied him.
“To have such an impact and score the goal tells you everything about the mentality he has.
“If anything, the miss affected him in a positive way.
“He is really important for us, and what is more impressive with his goalscoring record is that for a lot of the season he has played out wide, and not through the middle.
“Before Rhian came here he was our main hope for being a goalscorer, and he has lived up to the level of player we know he is.”
Andre Ayew, so far has netted 16 league goals- 18 in all competitions this season.
