The Citizens overcame Polokwane City at the Cape Town Stadium by a 1-0 scoreline, the difference a Sibusiso Mbonani own goal in the first-half.
"We're a work in progress," Bafana Bafana's record goalscorer told SuperSportTV after the game. "The signs are there that the boys can play but I think now it's back to the drawing board again.
"We got a first win and Polokwane didn't just come here to add numbers, they came to play and they're a very dangerous team.
"I'm very proud and privileged to be part of this team. These boys have gone out there and played for me and I can't really ask for more."
McCarthy's side take on Bidvest Wits in their first Absa Premiership match of 2017/18 and the new coach is aware that he needs to make a few alterations.
"I'm really happy but I've got to go and tweak a little bit more and hopefully for Friday against Wits we'll plug the holes," he said.